The unthinkable happened Saturday in Khartoum, where Sudan, expected to be the whipping boys of Group A in the Morocco 2015 African Nations Cup qualifying series, defeated the Super Eagles 1-0, to all but extinguish Nigeria’s chances of defending the trophy it won last year in South Africa.

Saturday’s defeat may also have spelt the end of Coach Stephen Keshi’s reign as Nigeria’s manager three years after taking over from Samson Siasia.

Last month, Nigeria lost their opening game in the qualifying series to Congo Brazzaville 2-3 in Calabar and drew goalless with South Africa in Cape Town.

To further make life difficult for the Super Eagles, South Africa went to Brazzaville to defeat Congo 2-0, meaning the Bafana Bafana lead the group with seven points to Congo’s six, while Sudan occupy the third slot with three points. Nigeria has only one point from their three games.

For Nigeria to still make it to Morocco, the Eagles must win all their remaining games, beginning with Wednesday’s return leg against Sudan, the away game against Congo and the last tie with South Africa on November 19. That would give the Eagles 10 points and a likely place as runners up or the best third-placed team in the series.

Yesterday’s game was a match many Nigerians expected the Eagles to come out looking for the goals that would re-launch Nigeria’s bid for a Morocco 2015 ticket, but the Stephen Keshi-led team apparently did not realise until it was too late that the Sudanese had their own ambitions.

Bakri Abdelgadir’s late first half goal gave Sudan the 1-0 victory at the El-Merreikh Stadium.

Sudan proved to be tough opponents in the opening 45 minutes, even though Nigeria created the better chances, with Nosa Igiebor striking the upright inside the opening 15 minutes.

Until the goal, Vincent Enyeama was a virtual spectator in Nigeria’s goalpost. That was until Abdelgadir beat his marker before thumping home a header past a helpless Enyeama.

The Eagles came out in the second half looking for the equaliser, but the well-manned Sudanese defence ensured that the Emmanuel Emenike-led attack did not trouble their goalkeeper, Moez Majoub, in the early minutes of the half.

Sensing that things were not working for his side, Keshi replaced Gbolahan Salami with Sunday Emmanuel, but the game continued in the same pattern with the Eagles having most of possession with nothing to show for it.

The Eagles were expected to return to Nigeria last night to begin preparation for the return leg of the tie, which holds in Abuja on Wednesday.

•Credit: Guardian On Sunday. Photo shows Coach Keshi.

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