Nigeria is playing their first African Nations Championship match since losing the title match to Morocco seven years ago. They already anticipate a blockbuster showdown with defending champions and West African football rivals, Senegal.

Although both are regional football powers, this Tuesday’s encounter will be their first clash at the African Nations Championship despite the rich football histories of both countries.

The setting is a Group B duel in Zanzibar, a chain of islands belonging to Tanzania. For Senegal, the fixture marks their 15th match in CHAN history, with Nigeria becoming the 14th different opponent they’ve faced.

Only Côte d’Ivoire has appeared on their schedule more than once. On the other side, this will be Nigeria’s 16th match in the competition’s history, with Senegal becoming their 15th different adversary. Only Morocco has faced the Super Eagles more than once in the competition.

The Senegalese are entering the match with a strong record against West African opposition at CHAN.

In four previous encounters, they remain unbeaten in open play, registering two wins and two draws. Their run includes a goalless draw with Côte d’Ivoire and a 1-1 draw with Ghana in 2009, the latter resulting in a penalty shootout defeat in the third-place playoff.

In the 2022 edition, they recorded narrow 1-0 victories over both Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania in the group stage and quarterfinals, respectively.

Impressively, the Senegalese have kept three clean sheets in those four regional clashes, conceding only once.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be facing the CHAN defending champions for the first time in the tournament’s history.

This match also marks their fifth appearance against West African opposition at CHAN. Their previous results include defeats to Mali and Guinea, a penalty shootout loss to Ghana after a draw, and a commanding 4-1 win over Niger, their only victory in such fixtures.

With both sides boasting formidable CHAN pedigrees and eager to start their Group B campaigns on a high note, the match promises to deliver an intense West African showdown, steeped in history, pride, and tactical intrigue.

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As excitement mounts for this Tuesday’s Group B opener at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Nigeria’s Super Eagles are embracing the weight of national expectation ahead of a challenging clash with defending champions Senegal.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Zanzibar on Monday, Super Eagles defender Junior Nduka highlighted the pride and responsibility the team feels, especially following Nigeria’s recent success across other sports.

“To our fellow Nigerians, I know the expectations are high because we have been doing well in sports, and we will try our best not to let them down,” said Nduka, seen as one of the team’s key leaders.

 “Our female football team just won the WAFCON, and the women’s basketball team also claimed the African title. It’s a great record for the country, and we hope to build on that momentum.”

Nigeria’s participation at CHAN 2024 comes amid a period of national sporting resurgence, and the home-based squad is hoping to mirror those successes on the football pitch.

However, standing in their way is a formidable Senegalese side renowned for its athleticism, pace, and discipline.

Head coach Éric Chelle, who has overseen an intense build-up with the local league-based squad, made it clear that his team is focused squarely on the opening fixture.

“I don’t want to talk about Congo or Sudan for now,” said the former Mali international when asked about Nigeria’s other group opponents.

“Our focus is on our first match tomorrow. We want to take it step by step. Right now, it’s all about Senegal.”

While much has been made of the West African rivalry, Chelle downplayed any emotional build-up, instead framing the encounter as a high-level contest between two footballing nations with pedigree.

“I don’t think it’s a derby, but this is a match between two big countries in African football,” he said. “Senegal have a good generation and a strong team. Our preparations have gone well, and now we want to put everything we’ve worked on into this game.”

This will be the first-ever CHAN meeting between Nigeria and Senegal. Both teams boast strong records in the competition, with Nigeria finishing as runners-up in 2018 and Senegal winning the title in 2022.

With a squad composed entirely of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the Super Eagles will face a stern test against a disciplined Senegal team determined to begin their title defence on a strong note.

Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Zanzibar.

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As anticipation heightens ahead of Nigeria’s opening match at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle and defender Junior Nduka have expressed confidence and focus ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Senegal.

Speaking during the pre-match media conference in Zanzibar on Monday, Nduka, one of the team’s key leaders, emphasised the team’s desire to sustain Nigeria’s recent sporting success on the continental stage.

“To our fellow Nigerians, I know the expectations are high because we have been doing well in sports, and we will try our best not to let them down,” he said. “Our female team has just won the WAFCON, and our women’s basketball team also won the African title. It’s a good record for the country, and we hope to consolidate on that.”

Nigeria’s home-based squad heads into CHAN 2024 riding a wave of positive national results in other sports, and Nduka believes this momentum can inspire the team to deliver on the pitch. However, they face a tough opening opponent in Senegal, a team renowned for its athleticism, pace, and tactical discipline.

Head coach Éric Chelle, appointed to steer Nigeria’s home-based squad, urged his players to remain focused on the immediate task.

“I don’t want to talk about Congo or Sudan for now,” Chelle responded when asked about Nigeria’s other group opponents. “Our focus is on our first match tomorrow. We want to take each game as it comes, step by step. Right now, it’s all about Senegal.”

The former Mali international dismissed notions of an emotional rivalry, instead framing the contest as a high-level battle between two footballing giants on the continent.

“I don’t think it’s a derby, but this is a game between two big African countries with strong football traditions,” he said. “Senegal have a good generation and a good team. Our preparation has been good, and we will look to implement everything we have worked on.”

Nigeria’s squad for CHAN 2024 is composed exclusively of players from the domestic league, who will now be tested on the continental stage. Their first hurdle: a formidable Senegalese side that will be eager to assert dominance in Group B.

Kickoff is set for Tuesday, with both teams aiming to start their campaigns on a winning note.

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