Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have qualified for the final of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) after pipping Sudan 1-0 in the second semi-final on Wednesday night in Marrakech.
This is Nigeria’s first-ever final and they will face hosts Morocco in Sunday’s grand finale in Casablanca.
Gabriel Okechukwu was the hero for the Home Eagles as his first half goal was enough to seal a final berth.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men as Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was sent off for Nigeria while Bakri Bachir received his marching orders for Sudan.
The Home Eagles were forced into an early change in the 11th minute as goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was stretchered off due to an injury after colliding with Stephen Eze as they both attempted to stop a Sudanese attack and was replaced by Dele Ajiboye.
But it was the Home Eagles who took the lead in the 16th minute through Okechukwu who ran on to Anthony Okpotu’s knock down, sprinted towards goal before slotting the ball under the onrushing Sudanese keeper Akram El Hadi Salim.
In the 30th minute, Sudan had a chance after their player spotted Ajiboye off his line and attempted a long strike but the Home Eagles second choice got back quickly to make an easy save.
Sudan went on a counter after Osas Okoro gave the ball away in the opposition half but Bakhit’s header from a cross went just wide off target.
The Sudanese keeper was called to action again in the 50th minute as he flung himself to stop Dayo Ojo’s shot from the edge of the box from sneaking in.
In the 58th minute, Ifeanyi was shown a second yellow card and was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Sudan had a chance to level scores in the 65th minute after Suleiman Omer found himself facing the Nigerian goal but misfired.
Ajiboye was called to make a save again in the 76th minute as he got down well to stop a long-range strike from going in.
Substitute Ibrahim Mustapha connected with a header off Okoro’s set piece but his effort went wide with just over 10 minutes left.
From the resultant free kick, Okoro saw his well-struck effort go inches off target.
Sudan almost drew level in the 91st minute but Ajiboye made a superb flying save tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.
From the corner, Sudan went close again but a Nigerian defender cleared off the line.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari sent his congratulatory messages to all the players and officials of the Super Eagles for their victory against Sudan on Wednesday.
Equally, Bukola Saraki also congratulated the Home Eagles on their victory on Wednesday.
Saraki tweeted, “Congratulations to our home-based @NGSuperEagles on their historic win against Sudan tonight in the #CHAN2018 Semi-Final. The whole nation is proud of your success and we will be rooting for you on Sunday night.โ
