Super Eagles Trounce Tanzania 2-1 In AFCON Opener
A dominant but wasteful Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 to begin their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scored one goal apiece to give the Super Eagles all three points at stake on Tuesday.
The West Brom defender rose highest to power home an Alex Iwobi cross in the 37th minute to put the Super Eagles’ noses ahead in the Group C encounter.
Lookman netted the second for Nigeria 52 minutes into the clash to ensure all three points for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria, off the back of a heartbreaking 2026 World Cup qualification failure, expectedly dominated play in the early exchanges in Fes, Morocco.
Nigeria’s forward #22 Akor Adams kicks the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Nigeria and Tanzania at Fez Stadium in Fes on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
With about ten minutes on the clock, Sevilla’s Akor Adam struck the woodwork in what could have been Nigeria’s opener at the 2025 AFCON.
Minutes later, Victor Osimhen almost doubled the lead for the Super Eagles, but his effort was cleared off the line. With 45 minutes played, Nigeria entered the tunnel with a 1-0 advantage over the Taifa Stars.
Two minutes into the second half, the former Napoli forward thought he had scored after finding the net. But his 52nd-minute effort was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria’s forward #09 Victor Osimhen runs during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Nigeria and Tanzania at Fez Stadium in Fes on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
In the 50th minute, the East Africans took advantage of Nigeria’s defence sloppiness to level things via a finish by William M’Mombwa.
But it took two minutes for the three-time champions to retake the lead. This time, Lookman, who features for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, found himself at the edge of the Tanzanian post from where he fired past goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi as the ball nestled home!
Eric Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead ahead of what is likely to be their toughest Group C match, against Tunisia in Fes on Saturday.
AFP
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
