By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Super Eagles TeamCredit: Punch Newspapers) |
FES, MOROCCO – Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a resilient Tanzania side in Group D on Tuesday evening. The match, played under challenging rainy conditions at the Fes Stadium, saw goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman secure three crucial points for the Nigerian squad.
From the opening whistle, the Super Eagles applied intense pressure. They came agonizingly close in the 11th minute when striker Akor Adams’s powerful header from an Ademola Lookman cross rattled the crossbar. Tanzania responded with a chance of their own, but Stanley Nwabali comfortably saved Mbwana Samatta's overhead kick. Nigeria's persistence paid off in the 36th minute as defender Semi Ajayi rose highest to expertly head home Alex Iwobi's delivered cross, sending the Eagles into halftime with a deserved lead.
The second half began with immediate controversy as Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside just seconds after the restart. Tanzania capitalised on the reprieve, stunning the Nigerian support in the 50th minute. Charles M’Mombwa exploited a fractured offside trap to slot home a precise equaliser. However, Nigeria's response was swift and spectacular. Less than two minutes later, Ademola Lookman unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box, restoring the Super Eagles' lead and igniting celebrations among the traveling Nigerian fans.
Despite late efforts from both sides, including a near-miss from Alex Iwobi, the score remained 2-1. The victory places Nigeria at the top of the early Group D standings. In the day's other group fixtures, the Democratic Republic of Congo secured a narrow 1-0 win over Benin, thanks to a goal from Théo Bongonda. Meanwhile, tournament favourites Senegal delivered a dominant 3-0 performance against Botswana in Tangier, with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson scoring twice.