Nigeria began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday evening, with Ademola Lookman scoring the decisive goal barely a minute after the Taifa Stars had drawn level.
The Super Eagles controlled much of the first half and saw their pressure rewarded nine minutes before the break. Semi Ajayi rose highest to power home a header from Alex Iwobi’s corner, which had been won moments earlier after Bakari Mwamnyeto cleared Victor Osimhen’s close-range effort off the line.
Nigeria’s dominance was evident through the movement and pace of Osimhen, Lookman, and Moses Simon, who consistently stretched the Tanzanian defence. Despite creating several promising openings, the Super Eagles were unable to add to their lead before half-time.
The second half began at a frantic pace. Nigeria thought they had doubled their advantage inside the opening minute when Osimhen backheeled into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Tanzania responded immediately and punished Nigeria’s lapse in concentration. A well-weighted pass from Novatus Dismas split the defence, allowing Charles M’Mbowa to race through and finish calmly past Stanley Nwabali to make it 1-1.
The celebrations were short-lived. Within sixty seconds, Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead with a moment of individual quality, curling an unstoppable effort from the edge of the penalty area beyond the goalkeeper.
Nigeria then managed the remainder of the contest with composure, keeping possession and limiting Tanzania to half-chances. The Taifa Stars pushed late on and came close when Ibrahim Hamad volleyed wide from a corner, but the Super Eagles held firm to secure all three points.
Ajayi was named TotalEnergies Man of the Match and highlighted the importance of the result. “It’s an amazing feeling to score for your country and start the tournament this way. We take positives from the game, but there are also things to improve, especially in killing games,” he said.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle echoed that view. “We are satisfied with the three points. That is the most important thing. There is still work to be done, particularly in managing games better, and we are aware of that.”
Tanzania coach Miguel Ãngel Gamondi praised his side’s effort despite the defeat. “Nigeria had a lot of possession, but we neutralised them well with our tactical approach. We showed quality and surprised many people with our performance,” he said.
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