 campaign with a 2-1 victory against Tanzania on Tuesday evening.){kind=link}
The Super Eagles of Nigeria began its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2-1 victory against Tanzania on Tuesday evening, at the Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco.
For Nigeria, talisman Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams started in a front-two, with 2024 CAF African player of the year, Ademola Lookman, behind the pair.
Nigeria won a corner after Tanzanian defender Bakari Mwamnyeto had cleared Victor Osimhen’s effort off the line. Could a goal come from a set-piece?
Defender Semi Ajayi then headed home Alex Iwobi’s cross from the corner in the 36th minute to open the scoring for Nigeria in style.
With a 1-0 lead at halftime and having dominated scoring chances, Nigeria were well in the driver’s seat. The first half ended with Nigeria holding the advantage despite Tanzania showing glimpses of attacking intent in the wet conditions.
In the second half, Nigeria thought they were off to a flier when Victor Osimhen back-heeled a cross into the net just 47 seconds in, but the flag was up for offside and VAR ruling the same. Two minutes later, Tanzania equalised.
A brilliant ball from Novatus Dismas lofted behind the defence picked up Charles M’Mbowa’s run and the midfielder slid in to finish past Stanley Nwabali in the 52nd minute.
However, the joy of the equaliser lasted less than a minute as Lookman scored what would be the winner. The winger displayed a piece of individual brilliance, striking an unstoppable curler from the edge of the box to to the roar of the Nigerian fans.
Tanzania rallied to try scrape for a point and came close with two minutes left but Ibrahim Hamad’s volley from a poorly defended corner at close range was wild and wide.
The win gives Nigeria a perfect start to their Group C campaign, while Tanzania will look to bounce back in their next fixture.
Tuesday’s AFCON results
DR Congo 1-0 Benin
Senegal 3-0 Botswana
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Tunisia 1-0 Uganda*