CHAN 2025: Why we lost to Super Eagles B – Congo Coach, Ngatsono

Congo’s head coach, Barthelemy Ngatsono, has acknowledged that Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles deserved their 2‑0 win in their Group D match at the 2024 African Nations Championship held at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Needing a victory to secure a quarter‑final spot, Congo couldn’t break through, despite battling to a 0‑0 draw in the first half. In the second half, Nigeria’s Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi scored, sealing Congo’s elimination from the tournament.

Ngatsono pointed out that Nigeria were better physically prepared, which made it difficult for his team to control possession even though Congo had properly prepared for the game.

Despite the disappointing exit, Ngatsono expressed pride in his team’s effort and discipline throughout the tournament. He emphasized the importance of learning from this experience to better prepare for future international competitions.

With this result, Nigeria advances to the knockout stage with renewed confidence.

Meanwhile, Congo will return home to regroup, with Ngatsono expected to make key adjustments ahead of upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.

Looking ahead, the Congolese team remains determined to build on the foundation laid during the tournament. With a mix of young talent and experienced players, there is cautious optimism that, with the right support and preparation, Congo can emerge stronger in future campaigns and make a deeper impact on the continental stage.