Ademola Lookman has secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fez, Morocco, in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.
After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportunities his side created on Tuesday.
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Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits. He failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing.
Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half before Charles M’Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.
However, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the winning goal shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria’s blushes.
The first half followed a predictable pattern, with three-time champions Nigeria pressing and Tanzania soaking up the pressure as they sought their first win after three draws and six losses in three previous AFCON appearances.
Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial injury after advancing off his line to block a shot by Akor Adams.
From the resultant corner, Sevilla striker Adams came close as his near-post header hit the top of the crossbar.
The East Africans threatened for the first time on 14 minutes, with an acrobatic shot from Simon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali.
As rain began to fall in Fez, Nigerian frustrations surfaced, with 2023 African player of the year Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad.
Osimhen then became the focal point of the Nigerian attacks, threatening to score twice before another attempt was cleared off the line by Bakari Nondo.
That set-piece led to the Super Eagles taking the lead as the ball was played back to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the corner of the net by Ajayi for his second international goal.
Samuel Chukwueze had the chance to increase the lead just before half-time, but his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi.
The opening seven minutes of the second period were dramatic, as an Osimhen goal was ruled offside before M’Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes, and then 2024 African player of the year Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead two minutes later with a rising shot from just outside the box.
Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead before what is likely to be their toughest Group C match – against Tunisia in Fez on Saturday.
Tanzania squandered a chance to equalise with three minutes of regular time remaining as a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded Nwabali, but substitute Kelvin John failed to connect with the ball.
Tunisia open with a win against Uganda
Elias Achouri’s double helped Tunisia ease to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their opening game, the last of the day, at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ellyes Skhiri headed in an early opener, and FC Copenhagen winger Achouri then scored twice on either side of half-time, in a game played in relentless rain in Rabat. Denis Omedi netted a late consolation for Uganda.
The result leaves Tunisia on top of Group C after the opening round of matches, above Nigeria on goal difference following a 2-1 victory for the Super Eagles against Tanzania earlier in Fes.
“It was a good performance. I think we can take plenty of positives. We got three goals, and we wanted to start the competition in the best possible way,” Achouri said. “We did that, and we are very proud.”
Tunisia, who have qualified for next year’s World Cup, are appearing at a 17th consecutive AFCON and were eager to do better than at the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast, in which they were eliminated in the group stage without winning a game.
The Carthage Eagles duly got off to a triumphant start on a drenched surface at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, with French-born Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Skhiri opening the scoring after only 10 minutes.
Achouri then took centre stage, doubling the lead with a lovely cushioned finish from an Ali Abdi cross as the interval approached.
He got his second goal and Tunisia’s third shortly after the hour mark, following in to score after an Abdi shot was saved by Uganda goalkeeper Jamal Salim.
Uganda were well beaten but salvaged some pride when Omedi scored in stoppage time, his shot finding the net via a big deflection off Tunisian defender Yan Valery.
Tunisia meet Nigeria next on Saturday in Fes in what looks set to be a decisive game in deciding who wins the section, while Uganda and Tanzania will hope to register their first points when they clash in Rabat.
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