Nigeria have high hopes of performing well in this 2025 AFCON and thus being able to lift the title again, which has eluded them since they last won it in 2013, giving them extra motivation that was clearly evident in their tournament opener.

The Super Eagles claimed a comfortable 2-1 victory over Tanzania at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to position themselves as provisional leaders of Group C, pending the result of the match between Tunisia and Uganda later in the day.

Eric Sekou Chelle's side completely outplayed the Tanzanians in the first half, during which the visitors barely got a touch of the ball. It took the Nigerians just 11 minutes to give their first warning through Akor Adams, who came close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful header, but was denied by the woodwork.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure until Osimhen came close to opening the scoring after dribbling past Masudi inside the box, only to see Mwamnyeto deny him with a goal-line clearance just as the ball was about to find the back of the net.

However, just one minute later, Nigeria's aerial superiority was once again evident when Ajayi headed Iwobi's pinpoint cross in at the far post to finally break the deadlock. Lookman could have doubled the lead just before half-time after capitalising on a great save by Masudi from a long-range shot by Ndidi, but the goalkeeper was quick to get up and palm away the Atalanta player's finish.

The Nigerians started the second half just as they had finished the first. Osimhen met Adams' cross with an incredible backheel finish to beat Mausi, but the referee ruled out the goal as the Galatasaray striker was offside.

However, the visitors were clinical and managed to restore parity with one of their first chances of the match. Miroshi found M'Mombwa unmarked at the far post inside the box and the midfielder beat Nwabali with a glancing finish.

The Super Eagles responded as quickly as they were emphatic, regaining the lead just one minute later through Lookman, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box to beat Masusi and put his team back in front.

Nigeria came close to adding a third on several occasions but failed to convert their chances, to the point where Tanzania had two late chances that could have stunned the home side with a late equaliser that ultimately did not materialise.

Charles M'Mombwa

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