Nigeria kicked off their AFCON 2025 marketing campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a rain-soaked Group C conflict at Fez Stadium on Tuesday night time. The Tremendous Eagles, beneath stress after latest disappointments, confirmed resilience and simply sufficient high quality to safe all three factors.
Within the buildup, head coach Éric Chelle had careworn the necessity for focus and depth, a message highlighted by SoftFootball forward of kickoff. Backed by confidence and perception, Nigeria began on the entrance foot, dominating possession and pinning Tanzania deep. The Taifa Stars defended bravely, however cracks ultimately appeared.
Semi Ajayi broke the impasse within the thirty sixth minute, powering residence a header from an Alex Iwobi cross after sustained stress. Victor Osimhen had earlier been denied by a goal-line clearance and a decent offside name, moments that mirrored Nigeria’s mixture of risk and frustration.
Tanzania shocked Nigeria shortly after the restart when Charles M’Mombwa volleyed residence from a fast counterattack to degree the rating. For a short spell, nerves crept in. However the response was immediate and emphatic.
Simply two minutes later, Ademola Lookman produced a second of magic, curling an excellent left-footed strike from exterior the field into the highest nook. It was the sort of aim that adjustments video games and moods without delay.
Nigeria ought to have put the competition to mattress, but wastefulness saved Tanzania alive. Ibrahim Hamad missed a golden probability late on, blasting over from shut vary because the Eagles clung on. Substitutions from Chelle helped gradual the tempo, with Paul Onuachu introduced on to handle the closing levels.
Semi Ajayi was named TotalEnergies Man of the Match in a publish shared by their official X account, because the Hull Metropolis defender delivered a commanding efficiency at Fez Stadium in Morocco, scoring the opening aim and anchoring Nigeria’s defence all through the match.
The win extends Nigeria’s unbeaten report towards Tanzania to 9 matches and supplies a gentle, if imperfect, begin to their AFCON journey. With perception already buzzing amongst followers and even celeb backing famous by SoftFootball earlier than kickoff, the Tremendous Eagles will hope this result’s a platform, not only a aid.
