The Super Eagles of Nigeria have kicked off their quest for glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a crucial, albeit narrow, victory. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco, the Nigerian side secured a 2-1 win over a resilient Tanzanian team in their opening Group C fixture.
A Tense Start and a Vital Breakthrough
Coming into the tournament under intense scrutiny following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the pressure was on head coach Eric Chelle and his squad. Nigeria controlled possession for large periods of the first half but found it difficult to break down a well-organized Tanzanian defence. The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi rose highest to powerfully head home a precise cross from Alex Iwobi, giving Nigeria a deserved lead.
The Super Eagles thought they had doubled their advantage immediately after halftime. Victor Osimhen, leading the attack alongside Akor Adams, tapped the ball into the net, but the celebration was cut short after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) correctly ruled the effort offside.
Tanzania Fights Back Before Lookman's Decisive Strike
Capitalizing on the let-off, the East Africans stunned Nigeria with an equalizer in the 52nd minute. A slick attacking move caught the Nigerian defence off guard, allowing Charles M'Mombwa to finish clinically and level the score at 1-1.
The parity was short-lived, however. Demonstrating character, Nigeria responded almost instantly. Once again, Alex Iwobi was the provider, slipping a pass to Ademola Lookman on the edge of the penalty area. The Atalanta forward drove forward and unleashed a low shot that beat goalkeeper Zuberi Foba, restoring Nigeria's lead just moments after they had conceded.
Managing the Game to a Winning Conclusion
The remainder of the match saw Nigeria manage the game while under sporadic pressure from Tanzania, captained by Mbwana Samatta. Osimhen had several opportunities to seal the victory but was denied by a combination of stout defending and alert goalkeeping from Foba. Coach Chelle introduced Paul Onuachu late on to help see out the result.
Tanzania came agonizingly close to a second equalizer in stoppage time, but Ibrahim Hamad missed a clear chance, allowing Nigeria to hold on for the three points. The result gives the Super Eagles a positive start in Group C as they aim to build momentum in Morocco. Before the match, Tanzania's interim coach, Miguel Gamondi, had humorously acknowledged the challenge, stating that beating Nigeria would feel "like winning the AFCON" for his team.
