African Nations Championship title holders Senegal kicked off their PAMOJA 2024 campaign on a high note, edging past Nigeria 1-0 in a closely fought Group D fixture held at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Zanzibar.

The reigning champions needed a 75th goal from Christian Gomis to separate them from their West African counterparts in a physical battle that saw both teams waste multiple opportunities in front of the goal.

Reserved for players active in their home leagues, the CHAN tournament began with a thrilling encounter between two football heavyweights. Senegal, which lifted the trophy in Algeria in 2022, looked composed early on but was quickly tested by Nigeria’s aggressive opening play.

Nigeria make CHAN return

Back in the CHAN tournament for the first time since 2018, the Super Eagles pressed high and looked to dominate possession through midfielders Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu, both of whom received yellow cards in a heated first half marked by strong tackles and few clear chances.

Senegal threatened through long-range efforts from Daouda Ba and Moctar Koïté, while Nigeria’s Sikiru Alimi forced goalkeeper Marc Diouf into a save midway through the first half. Despite flashes of danger, the teams remained deadlocked at the break.

The decisive moment arrived 15 minutes from time when Koïté surged down the right wing and delivered a precise cross into the area. Gomis, left unmarked, calmly finished with his left foot to give Senegal a crucial lead.

Nigeria reacted with a flurry of substitutions, bringing on Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje in search of an equaliser. Temitope nearly found the net with a late attempt that narrowly missed, while Alimi and Jabbar Malik remained a threat from set pieces.

However, Senegal’s backline, marshaled by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, remained solid and absorbed the late pressure. The second half was marred by injuries and multiple substitutions that disrupted the flow, further raising the stakes.

Tactical changes by Senegal, including the introduction of Bonaventure Fonseca and Pape Badji, helped them maintain control and see out the result. Nigeria’s frustration showed in stoppage time when Shola Adelani was penalised for handball, as the team failed to find a way back.