Nigeria Escape Sanction As CAF Hammer Zambia, Kenya, And Morocco

Nigeria have narrowly avoided CAF sanctions despite their early and humiliating exit from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), according to Soccernet.ng.

While the Super Eagles B were spared, fellow participants Zambia, Kenya, and Morocco have been hit with heavy fines for breaching tournament regulations.

Nigeria’s African Nations Championship campaign ended in misery on Tuesday after a crushing 4-0 defeat to Sudan confirmed their early exit from the tournament.

The Super Eagles B side had already been reeling from a 1-0 loss to Senegal in their opening fixture, but their second group game proved an even greater humiliation. The result was Nigeria’s joint-heaviest defeat in CHAN history and the first time they have lost their first two matches in the competition.

Head coach Eric Chelle had raised expectations ahead of the encounter, telling supporters his team would produce “the best game of our lives.”

Instead, they delivered a performance riddled with defensive errors, misjudged passes, and a lack of composure, allowing Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane to dominate.

So poor was the display that Chelle delayed his post-match media duties. A few thought he had even cancelled.

Journalists waited for several minutes, with some on the verge of leaving the press centre before the Franco-Malian eventually appeared.

“It’s the worst game I have overseen from the dugout as coach,” he admitted afterwards.

While Nigeria will leave the tournament with little to celebrate, they did avoid the disciplinary hammer that fell on several other teams.

CHAN 2024: CAF sanction for Zambia, Kenya, Morocco 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a series of sanctions on Wednesday, punishing Zambia, Kenya, and Morocco for breaches of tournament regulations.

Zambia were fined $5,000 after their head coach failed to attend the mandatory pre-match press conference before their game against DR Congo. CAF stressed that such media duties are vital to the sport’s global image.

Kenya received the heaviest penalty, a $50,000 fine, following what CAF described as multiple safety and security lapses during their match with Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Morocco were also sanctioned, with a $5,000 penalty, half of which was suspended, after players were found guilty of inappropriate conduct in the same fixture. CAF warned that a repeat offence would see the suspended portion enforced immediately.

CAF confirmed that all fines must be paid within two months of notification.

Nigeria will play their final CHAN 2024 group match against Congo on Tuesday, August 19. While the Super Eagles B are already out, Congo must win to reach the knockout stage.