On Tuesday night in Fez, Morocco, the Super Eagles beat the Taifa Stars 2–1 in a very thrilling Nigeria vs Tanzania match to start the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign in stye.
Ademola Lookman of Nigeria scored the winning goal in the second half, putting Nigeria back in the lead just two minutes after Tanzania had leveled the scores. The win gave Nigeria three important points in the Group C opener.
The Nigeria vs Tanzania match provided a stern test for Nigeria, who started their tournament campaign under pressure to bounce back from disappointing recent results in World Cup qualification. Tanzania, on the other hand, fought like a decent team and scored an equalizer early in the second half, but Nigeria quickly responded to win the game.
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Nigeria vs. Tanzania: Early Dominance Sets the Tone
The Super Eagles took control of the game right from the start, dominating possession and testing the Tanzanian defense early on. Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams put a lot of pressure on the Taifa Stars’ defense in the first half, but Tanzania’s goalkeeper, Zuberi Masudi, made some big saves to keep the scores level.
In the 36th minute, Semi Ajayi scored the first goal for Nigeria against Tanzania. He rose highest from a well-worked corner and headed in an Alex Iwobi cross to give Nigeria a well-deserved lead going into halftime.
Ajayi’s goal showed how strong Nigeria were in the air and set the tone for a first half in which the Super Eagles controlled the proceedings and created a lot of chances, even though they weren’t very good at finishing in the final third.
Tanzania Fights Back After the Break
The second half of Nigeria vs Tanzania got interesting right away. Just five minutes after the restart, Tanzania shocked the Super Eagles by tying the game with a goal from Charles M’Mombwa. He took advantage of a well-timed pass and calmly finished past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
M’Mombwa’s goal gave the Taifa Stars new life and made people think they might be able to beat one of Africa’s best football teams. Tanzania’s spirited equalizer showed how disciplined they were tactically and how well they could take advantage of open space when it was available.
But Tanzania’s excitement didn’t last long in the Nigeria vs Tanzania game. Ademola Lookman scored a brilliant left-footed goal from outside the box just two minutes after Tanzania had leveled the scores. This gave the Super Eagles the lead again and changed the momentum in their favor.
Lookman’s Impact and Game-Winning Goal
Lookman’s role in Nigeria vs Tanzania showed how important he is to the Super Eagles’ attacking strategy. The Atalanta forward has always been a key player for Nigeria, and his goal in Morocco showed that he can change games at important times.
Lookman got the ball outside the box in the 52nd minute and blasted it past the Tanzanian goalkeeper. This sent the Nigerian fans into a frenzy and saw the Super Eagles regain control of the match.
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Lookman’s calmness and technical skill stood out in his performance. These are the traits that have made him a key player for Nigeria since he first appeared on the international stage. His goal in the Nigeria vs Tanzania game not only helped his team win, but it also showed how good he is on the continental stage.
Tactical Overview of Nigeria vs Tanzania
Nigeria vs Tanzania was a clash of styles on the field. Nigeria, which is much higher in the FIFA rankings and has more experience in big tournaments, controlled the ball and pressed hard to break through Tanzania’s defense.
Tanzania, ranked lower but showing resilience, soaked up pressure and tried to hit Nigeria on the counter. Their equalizer in the second half showed that they could quickly switch gears and take advantage of mistakes made by the defense.
Even though Tanzania played well, Nigeria’s mix of experience, individual skill, and quick response after giving up a goal made the difference in Nigeria vs Tanzania. The Super Eagles won by a narrow margin.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Nigeria and Tanzania had a few important moments that set them apart:
Ajayi’s first goal: The defender’s strong header off Iwobi’s cross put Nigeria ahead and showed how important it is to be good at set pieces.
M’Mombwa’s equalizer: Tanzania’s equalizer showed how tough the East African side were and how well they can take advantage of chances.
Lookman’s goal: Just a few seconds after Nigeria fell behind, Lookman scored with a great left-footed shot that swung the momentum back to the Super Eagles.
These events made sure that Nigeria vs Tanzania was an interesting game for the whole 90 minutes and showed how unpredictable AFCON games can be.
Individual Performances
In the match between Nigeria and Tanzania, a few individual performances stood out and helped decide the outcome:
- Ademola Lookman: Winner and match-deciding contributor.
- Semi Ajayi: Scored Nigeria’s first goal and helped keep the defense strong.
- Charles M’Mombwa: Tanzania’s goal scorer, whose goal brought his team back into the game.
- Stanley Nwabali: He let in two goals but made important saves to limit the damage for Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen had a few chances during Nigeria vs. Tanzania, including a goal that was ruled out for offside. This shows that he is still a threat and a player to watch during matches.
Tanzania’s Character and Opportunities
Tanzania didn’t win the Nigeria vs Tanzania match, but they played very well. The Taifa Stars fought hard against a better team, creating several chances and putting Nigeria’s defense to the test at times.
Tanzania’s equalizer by M’Mombwa showed that they could still be dangerous when they have the chance. Their early second-half attack often threw Nigeria’s defense off balance and showed that they shouldn’t be underestimated in Group C.
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Even though Tanzania tried hard to get a second equalizer in the last minutes of the game against Nigeria, they couldn’t. The Super Eagles’ defense reorganized and held on to the end with discipline.
Group C Implications
The Nigeria vs Tanzania result gives Nigeria a good start in Group C, with three points and some early momentum as the Super Eagles get ready for tougher matches, like the one against Tunisia, who also won their first game.
Tanzania, on the other hand, will try to get back on track after their narrow defeat. Although they showed promise, the loss means they still have work to do to get their first points in the group. Their next matches will give them chances to make up for their mistakes and get better.
Atmosphere and Conditions
The Complexe Sportif de Fès hosted the Nigeria vs Tanzania game, which had a lively atmosphere as fans from both countries enjoyed a night of competitive football. There were ups and downs in the crowd at the stadium, with times of celebration and tension that showed how big AFCON group stage football is.
The weather in Fez, which included rain during parts of the match, made things even harder and added to the drama of what turned out to be an interesting match.
What to Expect After Nigeria vs Tanzania
The Super Eagles want to build on their win over Tanzania as they try to make it far in the tournament. Getting three points in their first game could give Nigeria the confidence they need to get ready for their next group match against Tunisia.
Tanzania are disappointed by the close defeat, but will focus on regrouping and improving their strategy before their next games in AFCON 2025, hoping to turn their good moments into wins.
Conclusion
The Nigeria vs Tanzania game was a great start to AFCON 2025 for both teams. The Super Eagles secured a memorable 2–1 win, thanks to a strong first half start and Lookman’s game-winning goal.
As the tournament goes on, both teams will learn from this game and gain confidence. Nigeria wants to keep up the momentum, while Tanzania wants to turn good performances into points.
