For the first time ever, the Super Eagles tutored by Stephen Keshi have qualified for the Orange Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition featuring players who are active in the national championships.

That qualification did not come on a platter of gold. This evening in Abidjan, Nigeria lost 2 - 0 to Ivory Coast but qualified for the tournament in South Africa on the back of their 4 - 1 win in the first leg held in Kaduna about two weeks ago.

Sewe Sports striker Koelly Kevin Zougoula opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute and further eased the pressure on the Elephants by netting a second goal from the spot in the 24th minute, after Rabiu Mohammed fouled an Ivorian player inside the 18 - yard box.

Despite some frantic efforts from Ivory Coast to score the third goal, Nigeria soldiered on and advanced to the tournament in South Africa.

16 African teams will compete for honors in the third edition of the Africa Nations Championship from January 10 - February 1, 2014.