AFCON 2025: Lookman’s strike seals Nigeria win over Tanzania

Ademola Lookman scored the winner as the Super Eagles of Nigeria edged Tanzania 2-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 Group C encounter at the Fes stadium on Tuesday. The Atalanta winger proved the difference maker in a keenly contested encounter that saw Tanzania test the superior Super Eagles on several occasions, […]

Ademola Lookman scored the winner as the Super Eagles of Nigeria edged Tanzania 2-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 Group C encounter at the Fes stadium on Tuesday.

The Atalanta winger proved the difference maker in a keenly contested encounter that saw Tanzania test the superior Super Eagles on several occasions, including a search for the elusive second equalizer.

Semi Ajayi had put Nigeria in the lead in the first half before Charles M’Mombwa briefly equalized.

Eric Chelle started both Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams in attack, while Wilfred Ndidi led the team out as captain for the first time in the absence of the retired William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa.

Nigeria were all over their opponents from the first whistle and went close on several occasions but were denied by Zuberi Foba, Tanzania’s debutant goalkeeper, who denied Samuel Chukwueze, and Akor Adams, before the latter crashed a header off the crossbar. Victor Osimhen also saw hiss effort cleared off the line after dribbling the goalkeeper, as the Super Eagles inched closer to taking the lead.

The Taifa Stars’ resolve was eventually broken on 36 minutes when central defender Ajayi stepped up to meet Alex Iwobi’s crisp cross with an emphatic header into the far post to hand Nigeria a 1-0 lead with his second international goal.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi almost doubled the lead with a long-range strike that was saved by Foba, and Chukwueze’s rebound was blocked as Tanzania were lucky to go into the break just a goal down.

Osimhen had a goal chalked off for offside by VAR immediately after the restart, and Tanzania responded with the equalizer through M’Mombwa on 50 minutes, the midfielder slotted a lofted cross beyond Stanley Nwabali for 1-1.

The setback was met by an immediate response with Lookman restoring Nigeria’s lead two minutes later.

The winger cut onto his left foot before arrowing a rising shot into the far corner for 2-1.

Chelle brought on Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Moses Simon for Adam and Chukwueze, and the move restored midfield balance as the three-time AFCON winners continued to search for the third goal.

There would be no further goal as Nigeria sealed a 15th opening day victory in AFCON history, while Tanzania continued a tournament history of losing their opening match at the finals.

Nigeria will face Tunisia in their second group game on Saturday, December 27.