CHAN 2016: Nigeria eliminated as Guinea and Tunisia progress
Nigeria’s campaign at the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a dramatic end on Tuesday after a 1-0 defeat to Guinea in Kigali. The result eliminated the Super Eagles at the group stage, just two years after they won bronze at the 2014 edition in South Africa.
Samson Siasia’s side entered the match needing only a draw to secure a place in the quarter-finals, having collected four points from their opening two games — a 4-1 win over Niger and a 1-1 draw against Tunisia. But a solitary strike from Ibrahima Sory Sankhon on the stroke of half-time proved decisive, sending Guinea into the last eight at Nigeria’s expense.
The Syli Nationale finish second in Group C with five points, level with Tunisia, who topped the group on goal difference. The Carthage Eagles sealed their place in style, thrashing Niger 5-0 in their final match. Saad Bguir scored twice, while Ahmed Akaichi, Mohamed Ali Ben Amor, and Hichem Essifi also found the net.
For Nigeria, the result is a bitter disappointment. With a squad boasting considerable talent and expectations of at least a semi-final run, their early exit will be seen as a failure back home. Guinea, meanwhile, will take confidence from overcoming a heavyweight opponent as they look to extend their tournament journey.
Final Group C standings saw Tunisia finish first with five points and a superior goal difference, Guinea second also with five, Nigeria third with four, and Niger bottom with a single point.
