Nigeria started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a tight 2-1 win against Tanzania, making it nine matches without a loss in their head-to-head encounters (six wins, three draws).
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After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the second time in a row last month, Éric Chelle’s team needed a strong performance in Morocco.
The Super Eagles quickly took control of the game.
Akor Adams had an angled shot saved by Zuberi Foba, and then Sevilla’s forward headed a close-range chance straight onto the crossbar.
Tanzania made a brief threat when Simon Msuva hit an acrobatic shot, but Stanley Nwabali saved it easily.
On the other side, Victor Osimhen had a chance after rounding Foba, but Bakari Mwamnyeto cleared the ball off the line.
Nigeria took the lead from a corner when Semi Ajayi headed Alex Iwobi’s deep cross into the far corner.
They came close to extending their lead at the break, but Foba made crucial saves to deny Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze.
Those saves proved vital as Tanzania equalized five minutes into the second half.
Novatus Miroshi delivered a cross that found Charles M’Mombwa unmarked, and the midfielder calmly volleyed in.
Nigeria quickly regained the lead two minutes later.
Ademola Lookman created space on the edge of the box and fired a powerful shot into the far corner.
The Super Eagles tried to seal the win in the final half-hour, but Lookman’s shot was deflected and saved by Foba.
More chances came for Nigeria, but Iwobi shot narrowly over from 12 yards, and Osimhen’s low strike was smartly stopped by Foba.
Tanzania had a big chance late on when Ibrahim Hamad fired over from close range, but that was their best opportunity.
Nigeria held on to start Group C with a win.