Nigeria kicked off their AFCON 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a rain-soaked Group C clash at Fez Stadium on Tuesday night. The Super Eagles, under pressure after recent disappointments, showed resilience and just enough quality to secure all three points.
In the buildup, head coach Eric Chelle had stressed the need for focus and intensity , a message highlighted by SoftFootball ahead of kickoff. Backed by confidence and belief, Nigeria started on the front foot, dominating possession and pinning Tanzania deep. The Taifa Stars defended bravely, but cracks eventually appeared.
Semi Ajayi broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, powering home a header from an Alex Iwobi cross after sustained pressure. Victor Osimhen had earlier been denied by a goal-line clearance and a tight offside call, moments that reflected Nigeria's mix of threat and frustration.
