Nigeria’s Super Eagles started their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania on December 23, 2025, at the Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Nigeria controlled most of the match. The Super Eagles dominated possession, set the pace of the game, and spent long periods in Tanzania’s half. The win sent a strong message that Nigeria remains one of the favourites to challenge for the AFCON title.
The team showed determination after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Captain Wilfred Ndidi played a key role in midfield, providing leadership and balance. Alex Iwobi helped link midfield and attack, while Samuel Chukwueze brought energy and creativity after being selected ahead of Frank Onyeka. Nigeria’s midfield control made it difficult for Tanzania to launch counter-attacks.
However, Nigeria struggled to turn their dominance into goals, especially in the first half. Victor Osimhen missed several chances, allowing Tanzania to stay in the game longer than expected. These missed opportunities showed that Nigeria needs to improve their finishing as the tournament continues.
The match became tense in the second half when Tanzania scored an equaliser. A mistake by Zaidu Sanusi led to defensive confusion, allowing Tanzania to score past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. This exposed Nigeria’s ongoing defensive weaknesses, particularly their tendency to concede avoidable goals.
Tanzania’s goalkeeper, Zuberi Masudi, also played an important role by making several key saves that prevented a heavier defeat. His performance highlighted the need for Nigeria to be more clinical in front of goal.
Despite the challenges, the victory gives Nigeria a solid start to their AFCON 2025 campaign. The match showed both their strengths and areas that need improvement, especially in defense and finishing, as they prepare for tougher opponents in the tournament.
