Lookman fires Nigeria to hard-fought win over Tanzania in AFCON opener

Nigeria opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 victory against a resilient Tanzania on Tuesday in Fes, Morocco.

The win provides a positive start for the Super Eagles in Group C, following their recent failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite controlling possession for much of the match, Nigeria was tested by a disciplined Tanzanian side.

The Super Eagles broke through in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi headed in from Alex Iwobi’s cross.

Nigeria thought they had doubled their lead immediately after halftime, but a Victor Osimhen goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Tanzania capitalized on the reprieve, equalizing in the 52nd minute through Charles M’Mombwa’s swift finish.

The stalemate was short-lived, however. Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s advantage just moments later, driving a low shot from outside the box past goalkeeper Zuberi Foba after another assist from Iwobi. The Atalanta forward’s strike proved to be the winner.

Osimhen, leading the attack alongside Akor Adams, had several chances to extend the lead but was repeatedly denied by Tanzania’s organized defense and Foba’s alert goalkeeping.

Nigeria introduced substitute Paul Onuachu late on to help secure the result.

Tanzania, under interim coach Miguel Gamondi and captained by Mbwana Samatta, threatened on the counter and nearly snatched a late equalizer, with Ibrahim Hamad missing a clear opportunity in stoppage time.

Before the match, Gamondi had acknowledged the challenge, stating that beating Nigeria would “feel like winning the AFCON” for his team.

While that feat was not achieved, Tanzania’s competitive performance will give them confidence for their remaining group matches.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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