Nigeria Start AFCON On Winning Note

Photo by Ayoola Adeleke/Gallo Images)

Nigeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday night.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Result: Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania

Date: 23 December 2025

Venue: Complexe sportif de Fès

Goalkeeper Stanly Nwabali was included in the Super Eagles and featured in his first competitive game since November in a 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off tie, while the Tanzanians looked to veteran forward Ally Samatta to get the goals.

The game got off to a lively start as Nigeria almost broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when Akor Adams rose above his marker and sent a towering header crashing against the crossbar, while Simon Msuva went close at the other end with an acrobatic effort that was saved by Nwbaali.

The Super Eagles took control of the game as the first half went on but they struggled to carve out any clear-cut openings against a Tanzanian side, who were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure while looking to cause problems on he break.

Tanzania’s resistance eventually broke ten minutes before the halftime break when defender Semi Ajayi rose above his marker to nod home a cross from Alex Iwobi, handing the Super Eagles a deserved lead.

Nigeria carried that momentum into the second half and had the ball in the back of the net two minutes after the break courtesy of Victor Osimhen’s neat flick, however the celebrations had to be cut short as the striker was deemed to be offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Tanzania took that as a wake up call and bagged an equaliser on 50 minutes when Charles M’Mombwa found the back of the net with a lovely first-time finish that gave Nwabali no chance between the sticks.

However, Tanzania’s joy only last two minutes after Nigeria restored their lead through Ademola Lookman, who was afforded time and space to find the corner with a strike from just outside the box after collecting a pass from Iwobi, who collects his second assist.

Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi looked to refresh his stall by throwing on Kelvin John after the hour mark for Msuva, while Haji Mnoga and Dickson Job replaced Shomari Kapombe and Tarryn Allarakhia ten minutes later.

The Super Eagles remained resolute in the closing stages of the second half to see off the late push by the Tanzanians and claim maximum points in their Group C encounter.

Related tags