Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2–1 victory over Tanzania in a Group C encounter played on Tuesday in Fes, Morocco.
Goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman secured all three points for the three-time African champions, who dominated large stretches of the game but were guilty of missing several scoring opportunities.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 37th minute when West Bromwich Albion defender Ajayi rose highest to head home a well-delivered cross from Alex Iwobi. Nigeria had earlier threatened to open the scoring, with Akor Adams striking the woodwork inside the opening ten minutes.
Victor Osimhen also came close to extending Nigeria’s advantage before the break, but his effort was cleared off the line, as the Super Eagles went into halftime with a slim 1–0 lead over the Taifa Stars.
Nigeria continued to press after the restart and thought they had doubled their advantage when Osimhen found the net early in the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Tanzania capitalised on a rare defensive lapse in the 50th minute to draw level, with William M’Mombwa finishing clinically to make it 1–1.
The response from Nigeria was swift. Just two minutes later, Lookman restored the Super Eagles’ lead, firing past goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi from close range after finding space at the edge of the Tanzanian defence.
Head coach Eric Chelle later introduced experienced winger Moses Simon in place of Adams in an attempt to increase Nigeria’s attacking threat, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
Tanzania nearly grabbed a late equaliser when a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in the dying minutes, but substitute Kelvin John failed to connect.
With the win, Nigeria now shift focus to their next Group C fixture against Tunisia on Saturday in Fes. Victory in that encounter would seal the Super Eagles’ place in the round of 16 of the competition.
