On December 23, 2025, Nigeria's Super Eagles kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign with a resilient 2-1 win against a determined Tanzania side at the Fez Stadium in Morocco. The three-time champions, under pressure following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, secured a vital three points in Group C, topping the group pending other results.
The match began with Nigeria dominating possession, creating early chances through stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Despite hitting the woodwork and forcing a goal-line clearance, the Super Eagles struggled to break down Tanzania's organized defense. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi powered home a header from an Alex Iwobi cross, sending Nigerian fans into raptures.
Tanzania, making their fourth AFCON appearance and seeking their first-ever tournament win, emerged stronger after halftime. They equalized through Charles M’Mombwa, stunning the Super Eagles and turning the game into an end-to-end thriller. However, Nigeria's quality shone through almost immediately. Atalanta's Ademola Lookman, a standout from the 2023 final, restored the lead with a clinical finish, proving once again why he's a key talisman for the team.
Victor Osimhen, leading the attack with his physical presence, was a constant threat but couldn't add to the scoresheet despite several opportunities. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made crucial saves, while the defense, marshaled by Calvin Bassey and Ajayi, held firm in the closing stages as Tanzania pushed for a late equalizer.
This victory provides a confidence boost for coach Éric Chelle's side, who are determined to go one better than their runners-up finish in 2023. Tanzania showed promising fight under new interim coach Miguel Gamondi, nearly snatching a historic point, but ultimately fell short.
With Tunisia and Uganda next in Group C, the Super Eagles have laid a solid foundation. Nigerian fans will hope this gritty performance signals the start of a deep run in Morocco, as the quest for a fourth AFCON title begins in earnest. The win wasn't flawless, but in tournament football, three points and momentum are what matter most.
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