Nigeria seals 2-1 victory against Tanzania in AFCON25 in a match that tested the Super Eagles’ resolve at the Fez Stadium in Morocco. On Tuesday, 23 December 2025, the Nigerian national team overcame a spirited “Taifa Stars” side in a rainy Group C opener. Although Tanzania briefly threatened an upset, the individual quality of Nigeria’s stars ultimately shone through. Consequently, the three-time continental champions have secured a vital three points, placing them at the top of their group.
A Dominant First Half in Fez
The Super Eagles began the match with clear intent. From the first whistle, they set up camp in the Tanzanian half, utilizing the pace of Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. In the 11th minute, Akor Adams came agonizingly close to the opener. His powerful header from an Alex Iwobi corner crashed against the crossbar, leaving the Tanzanian defense rattled.
Despite this dominance, the Tanzania national team proved resilient. Goalkeeper Zuberi Foba produced a string of world-class saves to keep his side in the contest. Furthermore, Victor Osimhen saw a clinical effort cleared off the line by Bakari Mwamnyeto after he had successfully rounded the keeper. However, the pressure finally told in the 36th minute. Alex Iwobi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Semi Ajayi rose highest to power home a header. This breakthrough goal ensured that Nigeria entered the halftime break with a well-deserved lead.
Second Half Drama and the Lookman Winner
The second half exploded into life within minutes of the restart. Nigeria thought they had doubled their lead when Osimhen finished a sumptuous backheel flick. However, a VAR review quickly ruled the goal out for offside. Taking advantage of this reprieve, the Taifa Stars struck back. In the 50th minute, a swift counter-attack ended with Novatus Miroshi crossing for Charles M’Mombwa, who volleyed home to level the score.
The Nigerian response was nearly instantaneous. Just two minutes later, Ademola Lookman took matters into his own hands. The Atalanta forward received the ball from Iwobi on the edge of the area, twisted past a defender, and unleashed a wicked strike into the top corner. This 52nd-minute “screamer” restored the lead and proved to be the decisive moment of the night. Although Tanzania pushed for a late equalizer, with Ibrahim Hamad missing a glorious chance in the final seconds, Nigeria held firm.
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Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Standings
The Nigeria seals 2-1 victory against Tanzania in AFCON25 result significantly shapes Group C. Below are the current standings across the tournament groups based on the opening matches.
GROUP A
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
| 1 | Morocco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Mali | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Zambia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Comoros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
GROUP B
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
| 1 | South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | Egypt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Angola | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
GROUP C
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
| 1 | Nigeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Uganda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
GROUP D
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
| 1 | Senegal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | Congo DR | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Benin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Botswana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
GROUP E & F (Initial Rankings)
Groups E and F are currently preparing for their opening fixtures. Current seeded teams include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon.
Note: Positions 1 and 2 qualify for the Round of 16. The four best third-placed teams will also advance.
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Conclusion: A Winning Start for the Super Eagles
The news that Nigeria seals 2-1 victory against Tanzania in AFCON25 serves as a major boost for Coach Eric Chelle. While the performance was “patchy” in parts, the team’s ability to respond immediately to adversity is a promising sign. Semi Ajayi proved his worth in both boxes, while Ademola Lookman continues to be the man for the big occasion. As the Super Eagles prepare for their next clash against Tunisia on Saturday, they carry the momentum of a well-earned victory.
Mainstream Media References
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The Independent
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Title: Lookman strike earns Nigeria nervy victory in Afcon opener
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Al Jazeera Sport
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Title: Nigeria beat Tanzania to make winning start to AFCON 2025
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