When the underdogs roared: Five biggest shock results in CHAN history

CAF

2 days ago

The dust had barely settled in Zanzibar when the football world began to grasp the magnitude of what had just happened. Sudan — a side often regarded as outsiders on the continental stage — had dismantled Nigeria's locally-based Super Eagles 4–0, knocking them out of CHAN PAMOJA 2024 with a game to spare.
In one night, they turned the script upside down, leaving pundits searching for explanations and fans replaying the goals in disbelief.
It wasn't just the scoreline. It was the manner: disciplined defending, lethal finishing, and a collective unity that rendered Nigeria's pedigree meaningless.
Abdel Raouf Yagoub's brace, combined with a Leonard Ngenge own goal and Walieldin Khdir's emphatic penalty, told the story on paper. But the real tale was one of precision, patience, and an underdog refusing to be intimidated.
This seismic result will go down as one of the competition's biggest shocks — but it is far from the only one.
Since its inception in 2009, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has specialised in rewriting football's pecking order.
With squads made up exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues, the tournament offers the perfect breeding ground for surprise results and unforgettable moments.
From finals routs to group-stage ambushes, the underdogs have risen time and again. And just as Sudan's latest victory has carved its place in CHAN folklore, here are five of the most remarkable upsets in the tournament's history.
Morocco 4–0 Nigeria – 2018 Final
Nigeria came into the 2018 CHAN final in Casablanca with hope, belief, and a solid run of form. Morocco, the host nation, were favourites — but few expected the Atlas Lions to dismantle the Super Eagles with such authority.
In a rain-lashed stadium, Morocco's relentless attack tore through Nigeria's defence. Every Moroccan surge forward felt like it could result in a goal, and it often did. The final whistle confirmed a record-breaking 4–0 victory — the largest margin ever seen in a CHAN final — and left Nigeria humbled on one of the biggest nights of their domestic-based football history.
Morocco 4–0 Cameroon (Hosts) – 2020 Semi-final
Facing a host nation in any tournament is rarely easy. Facing Cameroon in Limbe, with the home crowd roaring, is even harder. Yet Morocco turned what could have been a tense semi-final into another statement performance.
The Atlas Lions silenced the Indomitable Lions with pace, accuracy, and a clinical edge that left the stands stunned. By the final whistle, it was another 4–0 scoreline in Morocco's favour — their second such demolition of a major side in CHAN history — and a ticket booked to yet another final.
Senegal 3–0 DR Congo – 2022 Group Stage
Two-time champions DR Congo arrived at CHAN 2022 as one of the favourites. Their history, depth, and experience made them formidable — but debutants Senegal didn't care for the script.
The Teranga Lions, in their first CHAN appearance, played with a fearlessness that DR Congo could not match. From the first whistle to the last, Senegal controlled the pace, carved open the defence, and finished clinically. The 3–0 scoreline wasn't just a win; it was an announcement that Senegal had arrived as a serious force in African domestic football.
Sudan 0–3 Madagascar – 2022 Group Stage
Madagascar's CHAN debut was a fairy-tale introduction to the tournament. Facing a more experienced Sudan side, the islanders showcased the same spirited energy that had captured hearts at AFCON.
Lightning-fast counter-attacks and relentless pressing unsettled Sudan from the outset. The final 3–0 score reflected not just tactical discipline but also the sheer joy and hunger of a team determined to prove they belonged on this stage.
Sudan 4–0 Nigeria – 2024 Group Stage
And then came Zanzibar, August 2024. Sudan, coached by Ghanaian tactician Kwesi Appiah, produced a performance that will live in CHAN history. From the moment Ngenge's unfortunate own goal broke the deadlock, the Falcons of Jediane grew in confidence.
'CHAN has been one of the best experiences. I don't regret volunteering because it has improved my communication skills, expanded my network, and, in sha Allah, may bring better opportunities.'
Yagoub's double either side of half-time, combined with Khdir's penalty, left Nigeria shell-shocked. For the Super Eagles, two matches, zero goals, and elimination was a harsh reality. For Sudan, it was a statement that they could not just compete with Africa's best — they could dominate them.
The victory propelled Sudan to the top of Group D alongside holders Senegal, setting up a tantalising final group clash. More than that, it gave CHAN yet another chapter in its long tradition of upsets.
From Morocco's ruthless finals to debutants dismantling champions, CHAN has proven one truth time and again: in this competition, reputation counts for nothing once the whistle blows.
Every match offers an underdog a chance to write history. Sudan's 4–0 victory over Nigeria will be retold for years to come — and it now sits proudly alongside the greatest shocks the tournament has ever witnessed.