Group C
Results
•Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
•Tunisia 3-1 Uganda
Table
- Tunisia – 3pts
- Nigeria – 3
- Tanzania – 0
- Uganda – 0
Nigeria managed to squeeze past Tanzania in their opening Group C game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Fez stadium in Fes.
The Super Eagles were expected to dominate the Taifa Stars who are competing at their third ever Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Semi Ajayi got the breakthrough in the 36th minute, rising highest to power home a header from an Alex Iwobi delivery.
In the second stanza, Nigeria thought they had doubled their advantage inside the opening minute when Osimhen backheeled into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Tanzania shortly got their equaliser in the 50th minute, when a brilliant pass from Novatus Dismas split the defence, allowing Charles M’Mbowa to burst through and slide a composed finish past Stanley Nwabali.
But that leveler lasted just seconds, as Lookman produced a moment of class, curling an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to restore Nigeria’s lead.
Tanzania pushed for a late equaliser and came close in the closing minutes when Ibrahim Hamad volleyed wide from a corner, but the Super Eagles held firm to see out the victory.
For Taifa Stars, it was an encouraging performance despite the defeat but they have to pick positive results in the next games against Uganda Cranes and Tunisia.