Nigeria started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over a resilient Tanzania facet, as Ademola Lookman’s very good second-half strike proved decisive in Morocco, PUNCH Sports activities Additional experiences.
The win prolonged the Tremendous Eagles’ dominance within the fixture to 9 matches unbeaten towards the Taifa Stars and supplied a well timed response after final month’s failure to qualify for a second successive fifa world cup finals.
Éric Chelle’s facet began with clear intent and nearly took the lead contained in the opening minutes when Akor Adams compelled Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Foba into a pointy save from a good angle. Moments later, the Sevilla ahead got here even nearer, powering a header towards the crossbar from shut vary following sustained stress.
Tanzania briefly threatened to disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm when Simon Msuva produced an acrobatic effort that was comfortably gathered by Stanley Nwabali, however the Tremendous Eagles continued to claim themselves. Victor Osimhen thought he had opened the scoring after rounding Foba, just for Bakari Mwamnyeto to make a vital goal-line clearance.
Nigeria’s breakthrough ultimately arrived within the thirty sixth minute. From a nook, Alex Iwobi’s inswinging supply was glanced expertly into the far nook by Semi Ajayi, giving the Tremendous Eagles a deserved lead.
The possibilities stored coming earlier than the interval, with Foba producing a tremendous double save to disclaim Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze in fast succession, guaranteeing Tanzania went into the break solely a aim behind.
These saves proved very important as Tanzania drew degree 5 minutes after the restart. Novatus Miroshi delivered a harmful cross into the field, the place Charles M’Mombwa was left unmarked and completed calmly on the volley from shut vary.
Nigeria’s response was swift and emphatic. Simply two minutes later, Lookman created house on the sting of the world and unleashed an impressive left-footed strike into the far nook, restoring the Tremendous Eagles’ benefit and settling any early nerves.
Chelle’s males pressed for a 3rd aim to place the competition past doubt, with Lookman seeing a deflected effort pushed over the bar by Foba and Osimhen repeatedly testing the Tanzania defence. Iwobi fired narrowly over from inside the world, whereas Osimhen’s low drive was once more denied by the spectacular Foba.
Tanzania, nonetheless, remained harmful on the break and got here agonisingly near a late equaliser when Ibrahim Hamad blazed over from shut vary after a nook, a miss that in the end proved decisive.
Regardless of sustained stress within the closing phases, Nigeria held agency, managing the sport nicely to safe three factors and make a profitable begin to group c.
The Tremendous Eagles will take confidence from the consequence as they give the impression of being to construct momentum within the event once they face Carthage Eagles of Tunisia of their second match on Saturday, whereas Tanzania have been left to rue missed alternatives after a spirited efficiency that pushed one of many event favourites all the best way.
