Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday night in Morocco, making a confident start to their quest for a fourth continental title.
The Group C encounter saw Tanzania put up a spirited display, pressing aggressively and testing Nigeria’s composure, but the Super Eagles showed greater cutting edge in key moments to claim all three points.
Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, with Semi Ajayi rising to meet a well-delivered pass from Alex Iwobi, who enjoyed an influential performance in midfield. The goal gave the Eagles a deserved lead at half-time after a dominant spell of possession and control.
Tanzania responded strongly after the break and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Charles M’Mombwa fired home a clean strike to level the score, briefly putting Nigeria under pressure as the Taifa Stars grew in confidence.
The response from the Super Eagles was swift. Just two minutes later, Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s advantage with a superb finish, again assisted by Iwobi, whose vision and creativity proved decisive on the night.
Striker Victor Osimhen was lively throughout his 86 minutes on the pitch, seeing one effort cleared off the line and another ruled out for offside, as Nigeria continued to threaten despite Tanzania’s resilience.
The win extends Nigeria’s strong record in AFCON openers, with the Super Eagles now victorious in 14 of their 21 opening matches and unbeaten in their first game at the last four tournaments. Eric Chelle’s side will next face Tunisia on Saturday, while Tanzania turns their attention to a crucial clash with Uganda later in the group.
