The Super Eagles started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2-1 win over Tanzania. They were in charge but wasted a lot of chances.
According to Channels TV, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman each scored one goal to give the Super Eagles the three points at stake yesterday.
In the 37th minute, the West Brom defender jumped the highest to head home an Alex Iwobi cross, putting the Super Eagles ahead in the Group C match.
Lookman scored Nigeria’s second goal 52 minutes into the game, giving the Super Eagles all three points.
Nigeria, who had just missed out on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, was anticipated to dominate the early exchanges in Fes, Morocco.
Akor Adam of Sevilla hit the woodwork with roughly ten minutes left in the game. This may have been Nigeria’s first goal at the 2025 AFCON.
A few minutes later, Victor Osimhen almost made the Super Eagles’ lead even bigger, but his shot was blocked off the line. Nigeria went into the tunnel with a 1-0 lead over the Taifa Stars after 45 minutes of play.
Two minutes into the second half, the ex-Napoli forward felt he had scored when he found the net. But his shot in the 52nd minute was called offside.
In the 50th minute, William M’Mombwa scored to tie the game for the East Africans since Nigeria’s defense was weak.
But it took the three-time champions two minutes to get back in front. This time, Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, was at the brink of the Tanzanian post. He shot past goalie Zuberi Masudi and the ball went in!
Eric Chelle brought on veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the hopes of getting a bigger advantage before their likely toughest Group C match, which will be against Tunisia in Fes on Saturday.
With three minutes left in regular time, Tanzania missed a chance to tie the game when a Mohamed Hussein cross went past Stanley Nwabali, but substitute Kelvin John couldn’t get to the ball.
The Super Eagles now have three points and are getting ready for their encounter against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Saturday. If they win that game, they will be in the round of 16!
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