Nigeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought victory against Tanzania, though the Super Eagles were made to work considerably harder than anticipated by their spirited opponents in soggy Fes.
Semi Ajayi’s towering first-half header and Ademola Lookman’s spectacular long-range strike proved decisive, though Kokola M’Mombwa’s equaliser briefly threatened to derail the three-time champions’ ambitions.
The opening exchanges followed a predictable pattern, with Nigeria dominating possession whilst Tanzania absorbed pressure with admirable discipline. Samuel Chukwueze proved particularly lively down the right flank, forcing an early save from goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi before rattling the crossbar with a close-range header.
Victor Osimhen, returning to the starting line-up after missing the pre-tournament friendly against Egypt, gradually grew into proceedings but displayed characteristic profligacy in front of goal. The former Napoli striker rounded Masudi on multiple occasions yet failed to capitalise, once delaying his cutback too long and later seeing his effort cleared off the line by the retreating Bakari Nondo.
Tanzania offered sporadic threats themselves, with Simon Msuva forcing Stanley Nwabali into a smart save with an acrobatic scissor-kick, whilst Rochdale’s Tarryn Allarakhia impressed down the left.
The breakthrough arrived nine minutes before the interval when Alex Iwobi’s delightful free-kick delivery found Ajayi unmarked, the West Brom defender powering a header into the corner to give Nigeria a deserved advantage.
The second half began dramatically. Osimhen thought he had doubled the lead within moments of the restart, producing an exquisite backheel finish from Akor Adams’ cross, only for VAR to correctly rule the effort offside.
Tanzania capitalised on their reprieve almost immediately. Novatus Miroshi’s excellent cross from the right found M’Mombwa unmarked at the far post, and the midfielder steered home a composed low volley to stun the Super Eagles and level proceedings in the 50th minute.
Nigeria’s response was swift and emphatic. Just two minutes later, Lookman seized upon loose Tanzanian defending and unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards that flew into the top corner, leaving substitute goalkeeper Aishi Foba with no chance. It was a moment of individual brilliance from the Atalanta forward, who had been joint top scorer in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 final.
The Super Eagles enjoyed ample opportunities to extend their advantage thereafter. Lookman saw a deflected effort loop over following an Osimhen knockdown, whilst Iwobi fired wastefully over after some intricate footwork created space in the area.
Tanzania refused to capitulate despite their inferior ranking and nearly snatched an unlikely equaliser late on when Ibrahim Hamad snatched at a header from a corner, blasting over when well-placed.
Nigeria held firm to secure the three points, though manager Eric Chelle will demand considerably more composure and clinical finishing when his side face Tunisia in their second Group C fixture on 27 December. Tanzania, meanwhile, will seek their first points when they meet Uganda in a CECAFA derby.
Nigeria (4-2-2-2): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Iwobi; Chukwueze (Simon 65), Lookman; Osimhen, Adams (Bashiru 65)
Tanzania (4-3-3): Masudi (Foba 46); Kapombe, Nondo, Hamad, Husseini; Miroshi, Masanga (Salum 75), M’Mombwa; Msuva, Samatta (Mwamyeto 84), Allarakhia (Mnata 75)
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf (Egypt)
