Group D of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will kick off with a high-stakes encounter as reigning champions Senegal take on Nigeria at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, with a 5 p.m. GMT kick-off, the fixture promises an electrifying start to what is considered the competition’s group of death.
For Senegal, the match marks the beginning of a title defense campaign filled with ambition and expectation.
Under the guidance of coach Souleymane Diallo, the Local Lions are determined to make an early statement and reinforce their status as the team to beat.
Diallo’s squad features a vibrant mix of emerging talents, with Ababacar Sarr, Libasse Gueye, and Serigne Moctar Koïta poised to play pivotal roles in their quest to replicate last season’s championship success.
This team has a winning mentality, Diallo said ahead of the clash. We’re here to defend our crown, but more importantly, to show that Senegalese football continues to grow with each generation.
On the opposite side, Nigeria arrives in Dar es Salaam eager to reclaim its place among Africa’s elite after missing out on the last two editions of the tournament.
The Super Eagles A’, led by national team coach Eric Chelle, are determined to announce their return with a commanding performance against the champions.
Chelle’s selection includes a strong core of seasoned players from the Nigerian Professional Football League, including stalwarts like Junior Nduka and Anas Yusuf, whose experience will be crucial in navigating the high-pressure encounter.
Nigeria belongs at the top of African football, and CHAN is an opportunity to prove it, Chelle stated. We respect Senegal, but we’re not here to just participate. We want to win.
This fixture will mark the first-ever CHAN meeting between Senegal and Nigeria, adding a layer of intrigue and anticipation to an already compelling contest.
For Senegal, it is a chance to reinforce its dominance on the continental stage, while for Nigeria, it is a platform to reassert itself after a period of absence.
With both teams boasting formidable squads and a deep reservoir of talent, Tuesday’s clash is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament’s opening round.
The outcome could well set the tone for the rest of Group D, where every point will be fiercely contested in the battle for a coveted quarter-final berth.
