Nigeria crashed out of this year’s CHAN in Rwanda after they lost 1-0 to Guinea in a final Group C match in Rubavu on Tuesday.

Tunisia thrashed Niger 5-0 to win Group C on five points, while Guinea, also on five points, finished a runners-up.

Nigeria were third on four points and Niger finished bottom with a point.

It was the home-based Eagles first loss under coach Sunday Oliseh and it came at a bad moment and against most expectations as Nigeria were top of the group leading up this West African derby against Guinea and needed just a point to book their place in the last-eight of a competition they finished third two years ago.

AS Horoya 19-year-old midfielder Ibrahima Sankhon scored the match winner against Nigeria on Tuesday on the stroke of half time.

Sankhon exploited poor Nigeria defending to score from inside the box.

Nigeria did not have clear sight at the Guinea goal with Osas Okoro wasting possibly the Eagles best chance of the first half when he elected to shoot from inside the box when he had several other free teammates to pass to.

Guinea bossed the possession and were the more cohesive team.

Nigeria were lucky not to concede a penalty when Jamiu Alimi handled the ball right inside the box in the 25 minute.

Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was only too happy to hold a weak shot by Guinea right inside the box after 33 minutes.

After the interval, Nigeria brought on tournament leading scorer Chisom Chikatara for defensive midfielder Paul Onobi as the Eagles went for broke.

Substitute Bright Onyedikachi had two headers from inside the box in the second half, but they both missed their mark.

Another substitute, Bature Yaro could also not steer his free kick from a very promising position home as the minutes ticked away for Nigeria.

In the 81^st minute, goal scorer Sankhon’s stinging free kick was directed straight at goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and eight minutes later he had another chance to double his team’s tally but his final shot rolled out of touch.

Eagles starting XI vs Guinea (4-3-2-1 formation): Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Matthew Etim, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Jamiu Alimi – Paul Onobi (Chisom Chikatara 46), Ifeanyi Matthew – Osas Okoro, Prince Aggreh, Usman Mohammed (Bature Yaro 42) – Tunde Adeniji (Bright Onyedikachi 61)

Nigeria will continue their march for a first-ever CHAN crown should they at least pick a draw with Guinea in a final Group C clash in Rubavu on Tuesday.

Kick-off time is 3pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria are top of the group with four points from two matches, but the first round section is still very much wide open with all four teams still in with a mathematical chance of reaching the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Both Tunisia and Guinea are on two points after they drew their first two matches, while Niger are bottom of the standings on a point.

Victory by any margin on Tuesday will guarantee the Eagles top spot in Group C, and a quarter–final date with the second–placed team in Group D, which will be determined when qualified Zambia and Mali face off on Wednesday.

A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria has a two–point margin on second –placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia achieve a high–score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be guaranteed.

Fellow West Africans Guinea have drawn each of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and Niger Republic, coming from behind each time.

They pose a big threat because of their mobility and physicality of their strikers led by Alseny ‘Agogo’ Camara.

On Sunday, the Eagles arrived at Tuesday’s match venue after a three –hour road trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

They are lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach.

However, leading scorer Chisom Chikatara and midfielder Usman Mohammed have not trained with the rest of the squad after they picked up knocks against Tunisia.

Officials though are confident they will pass late fitness test to feature in this decisive group game.

Enugu Rangers Orji Kalu is expected to start in the heart of the back four along with Austin Obaroakpo after an encouraging display as a replacement for the giant Stephen Eze against Tunisia.

Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will step up their game against a young Guinea team, who were surprisingly stretched by Niger.

“I personally rate Guinea highly because they are a good team. We shall need to be at our best to be able to get a good result so that we top the group,” he offered.