Nigeria kicked off their bid for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. They beat Tanzania in a tough match under rainy skies in Fes.
The Super Eagles went ahead in the 36th minute. Defender Semi Ajayi headed in a perfect cross from Alex Iwobi on the right.
Nigeria bossed the first half. They nearly scored again before halftime. Samuel Chukwueze’s shot deflected, but Tanzania keeper Zuberi Foba tipped it over.
Tanzania hit back right after the break. In the 50th minute, Charles M’Mombwa side-footed home a high cross from Novatus Miroshi on the left.
Two minutes later, Ademola Lookman put Nigeria back in front. The ex-African Footballer of the Year switched the ball to his left foot. He then rifled it into the top right corner. That goal clinched the three points for coach Eric Chelle’s team.
Nigeria faces Tunisia next in Group C. The match is Saturday in Fes. They aim to lock in a spot in the last 16 early. Tanzania heads to Rabat to play Uganda in an East Africa clash.
Nigeria last won Afcon in 2013. They were runners-up in the latest one in Ivory Coast. The football federation started a push called “Naija 4 the Win.” But this tournament follows their miss on 2026 World Cup qualifying.
The Super Eagles controlled the ball from the start. Akor Adams came close early. Foba made two great saves in the first 12 minutes to stop the Sevilla striker.
West Brom’s Ajayi ended the early tension with his second goal for Nigeria. It came after a slow first half-hour. Tanzania’s Bakari Mwamnyeto soon cleared a Victor Osimhen shot off the line.
Tanzania came out strong in the second half. Osimhen thought he scored soon after restart. But refs called it offside.
The East Africans tied it up. Then Lookman, a former England youth player, fired home to make it 2-1.
That strike sealed the win. Most of the 11,444 fans in the stadium cheered wildly.
Nigeria hopes for a repeat of history. In 1980, they beat Tanzania first on home soil. Then they won their first Afcon title. Tanzania still seeks their first win at the finals.
