Congo and Sudan Share the Spoils in Dramatic Group D Opener at CHAN PAMOJA 2024

The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 continued to deliver captivating football on Tuesday night as Congo and Sudan battled to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group D encounter at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The clash, which marked the first-ever CHAN meeting between the two nations, was filled with high-stakes drama, tactical adjustments, and late-match heroics, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive group.

Sudan entered the fixture with urgency, dominating the early exchanges through a series of set-pieces and midfield orchestration from Abdel Raouf Yagoub. The Northeast African side carved out early chances, notably when Salah Adil headed wide from close range in the 10th minute.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 29th minute. Musa Hussien capitalized on sustained pressure, striking twice in quick succession after his initial attempt was parried by Congo’s goalkeeper Ulrich Samba. The rebound fell kindly for Hussien, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Sudan a deserved 1-0 lead.

Congo, playing in their fifth CHAN tournament, struggled for rhythm in the first half, with Chadrac Osseby and Charles Atipo offering glimpses of attacking intent but failing to convert. The Red Devils went into the break trailing, with head coach Barthélemy Ngatsono clearly needing to recalibrate.

The Congolese responded with tactical boldness in the second half. In the 60th minute, Ngatsono made a decisive triple substitution—introducing Carly Ekongo, Grace Mavoungou, and Grace Nsemi. The change injected much-needed energy and control into Congo’s midfield, as the team began to dictate the tempo and stretch Sudan’s defence.

Despite Congo’s growing dominance, Sudan remained a constant threat on the counterattack. In the 92nd minute, they came agonizingly close to sealing the win when Mazin Simbo rose highest to meet a cross, only to be denied by a stunning reflex save from the ever-alert Ulrich Samba.

That save proved pivotal. Just minutes later, in the 96th minute, Congo found their breakthrough. After a spell of sustained pressure and chaos in the Sudanese box, substitute Carly Ekongo pounced on a loose ball and rifled a low finish past the goalkeeper from close range. The equaliser sent the Congolese bench into raptures and reignited hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.

The final moments of the match were intense and physical, with stoppage time stretching to 10 minutes. Tempers flared and both teams pressed for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock, and the match concluded with a well-earned point apiece.

Post-Match Reflections

The result carries significant implications for both teams:

Congo not only secured a valuable point but also ended a troubling run of over three CHAN matches without scoring from open play—a drought stretching back to 2020. More importantly, the Red Devils showed grit and adaptability, especially through their impactful substitutions.

Sudan, though disappointed not to hold onto their lead, demonstrated a marked improvement from their dismal 2022 campaign. The draw extends their winless run in open play to five matches, but their organized play and early dominance suggest a more competitive edge this time around.

The draw leaves Group D delicately poised. Every point will count, and both teams now face stern tests in their upcoming fixtures.

Congo will next take on defending champions Senegal, a side brimming with confidence and tournament pedigree.

Sudan prepare for a potentially decisive clash against Nigeria, who bring physicality and flair to the group.

With knockout stage spots at stake, Group D is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested groups in CHAN PAMOJA 2024.

As the continental showcase for home-based players unfolds, fans across Africa will be watching closely as the drama continues.