Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a tight 2-1 over Tanzania on a rainy day at the Fes Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles started the game on the front foot and almost got the opener in the 11th minute when Akor Adams met Ademola Lookman’s cross with a powerful header but the Sevilla player’s effort struck the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Tanzania also came close to scoring after Nbwana Samatta attempted an overhead kick. However, the attempt was comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali. 

Nigeria finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Semi Ajayi headed home a cross from Alex Iwobi to give the Eagles the lead. 

Just before the halftime whistle, Victor Osimhen attempted his own overhead kick but he was denied by goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi.

Barely 60 seconds into the second half, Osimhen found the back of the net but his effort from a pass by Adams was ruled out for an offside by VAR.

However, the Tanzanians stunned the Eagles in the 50th minute when they grabbed an equaliser through Charles M’Mombwa, who capitalised on an unsuccessful offside trap by the Nigerian defence line.

It took less than two minutes for Lookman to restore Nigeria’s lead after the Atalanta forward pounced home a stunning shot from just outside the 18-yard box to send thousands of Nigeria supporters in the stands into celebratory mood.

In the 66th minute, Iwobi almost scored the third goal for Nigeria but his shot from close range slightly went over the crossbar. Both teams tried but failed to score again in the match as the Eagles secured the important three points.

Meanwhile, in the other fixtures of matchday three, DR Congo secured a narrow 1-0 win over Republic of Benin in their opening Group D match. Théo Bongonda scored the only goal of the game. 

At the Tangier Stadium, Senegal thrashed Botswana in the second Group D tie, with Nicolas Jackson scoring a brace while Cherif Ndiaye scored the third goal for the Lions of Teranga.