JuicyTalk
Nigeria edged past a spirited Tanzania side with a 2–1 win in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Nigeria began on the front foot and created early chances through Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams, forcing goalkeeper Zuberi Foba into a string of saves.
Victor Osimhen was heavily involved, winning free kicks and stretching the Tanzanian back line with his movement, while Ademola Lookman caused problems cutting inside from the flank.
Tanzania, however, were not overawed and threatened on the counter, with Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta testing Stanley Nwabali.
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute. From a Nigeria corner, Alex Iwobi delivered a pinpoint cross and Semi Ajayi rose unmarked to head confidently into the bottom corner, giving the Super Eagles a deserved 1-0 lead.
Nigeria pressed for a second before the break, hitting the bar through Akor Adams and forcing further saves from Foba, but went into half-time with a narrow advantage.
Second half
Tanzania stunned Nigeria just five minutes into the second half. A swift move down the right ended with Novatus Miroshi’s cross finding Charles M’Mombwa, who finished from close range to level the scores at 1-1.
The equaliser briefly shifted momentum, but Nigeria responded almost immediately. In the 52nd minute, Lookman collected a pass from Iwobi on the edge of the box and curled a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner to restore Nigeria’s lead.
The remainder of the match was played at a high tempo. Nigeria created opportunities to extend their advantage, with Osimhen, Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru all going close, only to be denied by Foba or wayward finishing.
In the end, it was a moment of quality from Lookman, that proved to be the difference to give the Super Eagles three big points.
