The CHAN kicks off on Saturday August 2 in Dar es Salaam as Tanzania take on Burkina Faso at the National stadium.
In the last of our series about profiling each group, Ismael Kiyonga gives you everything you need to know about Group D teams that is based in Amaan, Zanzibar.
The group has defending champions Senegal, Cecafa nation Sudan, Congo and Nigeria
Nicknames: The Lions of Teranga
Participations in CHAN: 2 (2011, 2022)
Number of Titles: 1 (2022)
Best Performance at CHAN: Winners (2022)
FIFA Rankings: 18
How They Qualified
Senegal earned their place at CHAN 2024 with an emphatic performance in the qualifiers. They dominated Liberia with a 3-0 victory in the first leg and sealed the deal with a 1-1 draw in the return leg, ensuring a smooth path to defend their title.
Head Coach Souleymane Diallo:
Having transitioned from the U20 coaching staff to helm the CHAN team, Souleymane Diallo has brought a fresh perspective to Senegalese football. A tactician known for his defensive rigor and fluid offensive transitions, Diallo emphasizes high pressing and collective gameplay. His adaptability in using formations like the 4-3-3 highlights his modern approach to football. Diallo is also deeply invested in nurturing young talent, ensuring a seamless integration of emerging players into the squad.
Nickname: Super Eagles
Number of Appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2024)
Titles: None
FIFA Ranking: 43 (July 2025)
How They Qualified
Nigeria secured their place in the CHAN 2024 finals by overcoming Ghana in the qualifiers. The Super Eagles recorded a 3-1 aggregate victory, with captain Junior Nduka playing a pivotal role by scoring a crucial goal.
Head Coach: Daniel Ogunmodede
Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has inspired confidence with his declaration that the Super Eagles “need to fight to win the competition.” His tactical expertise and motivational skills will be critical in Nigeria’s quest for their first CHAN title.
Past CHAN Performances
Nigeria’s best CHAN outing came in 2018 when they reached the final but were narrowly defeated. They have reached the semifinals twice in their previous three appearances, underlining their pedigree in the competition.
Nickname: Falcons of Jediane
Number of appearances: 2 (Sudan 2011, Algeria 2022)
Best finish: Third place in 2011
FIFA Rank: 113
How Sudan qualified
Sudan qualified for the finals of the 2024 CHAN after playing two rounds in the continental qualifiers.
In the first round, they beat Tanzania in the first leg 1-0, before losing in a match in Tanzania 1-0, and qualifying on penalties for the second round of qualifiers.
In the second round, Sudan beat Ethiopia 2-0 in the first leg, before conceding the second leg in Benghazi, Libya, 1-0, but winning 2-1 to qualify for the finals.
Head coach: Kwesi Appiah
Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah will lead Sudan to the 2024 CHAN. The Sudanese Football Association contracted Ghanaian coach, 64, to lead the side in September 2023, succeeding Moroccan coach Badou Zaki, who left Sudan after failing to lead the team to the finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Appiah previously coached several clubs, such as the Ghanaian outfit Asante Kotoko and the Sudanese club Khartoum between 2014 and 2017, where he achieved remarkable success.
Former Ghana international Appiah coached Ghana from 2012 to 2014 and played a big role in their qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He led them for a second time too between 2017 and 2020.
Nickname: The Red Devils
Number of Appearances: 5 (2014, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024)
Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2018, 2020)
Fifa Rankings: 132
How They Qualified
Congo overcame Equatorial Guinea in a tightly contested qualification series. After a 0-0 draw away, they secured a crucial 2-1 victory at home to book their place in the tournament.
Coach: Barthélémy Ngatsono
Ngatsono has built a reputation for his tactical astuteness and ability to adapt to different opponents. His balanced approach combines defensive organization with quick transitions to exploit opportunities. With a strong emphasis on physical preparation and discipline, he ensures his team is ready for the demands of top-level competition
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Article source: CAFOnline
