Race for quarterfinal slots hots up in Zanzibar

Central African Republic goalkeeper Mauril Stephane Abimala leaps to grab a powerful strike from a Madagascar player during their Group B clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, on August 13, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The race for quarterfinal slots in the 2024 Africa Nations Championships Chan here in Zanzibar is a three-horse race.

The race has been narrowed down to group D leaders Sudan, runner-up and defending champions Senegal and third-placed Congo Brazzaville.

All group D matches are being played at Amaan International Stadium in Zanzibar City.

The trio has a match at hand before knowing who among them will make the cut to the last eight.

Nigerian head coach Eric Chelle warned their next opponents that they'll be in for a rude shock even after dropping out of the showpiece in their heavy 4-0 loss to Sudan.

"We might have dropped out of the tournament this early but remember we are the Super Eagles who fly higher and higher. It doesn't matter the circumstances, but what matters is how we play and the tactics of that day," he said after their loss to Sudan on Tuesday.

Chelle could not swallow the heavy defeat but promised their fans something to smile on on their way to Abuja.

"Our last match (against Congo Brazzaville) is a must-win for us. We want to go back home with our heads high," the Nigerian tactician said.

Sudan lead the group with four points, same as Senegal, but with a superior goal difference of four, while Senegal has one.

Senegal came from a goal down to force Congo Brazzaville to a one-all-draw from an 85th minute equaliser by Joseph Layousse after the Rhumba Boys had taken a 19th minute lead by Dechan Moussavou on Tuesday.

Both teams (Sudan and Senegal) have won one match and drawn in another.

Congo Brazzaville still have a mathematical chance of making it into the quarterfinals if they win their last group match against Nigeria and hope Sudan beats defending champions on Tuesday.

Congo Brazzaville head coach Barthelemy Ngatsono warned that they should not be written off in their quest to romp into the knockout stages.

"The war is not yet over. We are fighting until the last match. The fight for quarterfinal slots is not yet over despite our two draws (against Sudan and Senegal), which off course made us understand the mathematical chance of our qualification and the gravity of the tournament," he said.

The Congolese tactician said they'll take their last match against Nigeria with the seriousness it deserves.

"We are aware of the threats posed by Nigeria, but we are equally prepared for this match," the French-speaking Ngatsono said through an interpreter.