Nigeria's Super Eagles kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over Tanzania in Morocco. Goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman secured the win in a competitive match. Semi Ajayi was named man of the match for his standout performance.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria began their AFCON 2025 journey on a positive note, edging out Tanzania 2-1 in their opening group match held in Morocco on Tuesday night. The game was a hard-fought affair, with Nigeria's victory sealed by a decisive second-half strike from Ademola Lookman, following an earlier goal by Semi Ajayi.
Ajayi, a West Bromwich Albion defender, not only scored but also impressed throughout the match, earning him the Man of the Match award from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Alex Iwobi also shone for Nigeria, contributing to the team's strong performance. However, Samuel Chukwueze had a less impactful game, faltering in key moments.
This win marks a flying start for Nigeria in the tournament, hosted in Morocco. The Super Eagles, three-time AFCON champions, aim to reclaim glory after a disappointing exit in the last edition. Tanzania, making a return to the competition, showed resilience but couldn't overcome Nigeria's quality.
No direct quotes from players or coaches were available in the reports, but the result underscores Nigeria's determination to perform well in Group A.