Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Opener: A 2-1 Thriller Over Tanzania Sparks Group C
23 December 2025
Match Overview
Nigeria opened their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday evening, as the group stage kicked off in Group C alongside Tunisia and Uganda.
After an even first period, Simi Ajayi headed home from Ademola Lookman’s cross in the 36th minute to give the Nigerians the lead at the Fes Grand Stadium.
Second Half Drama
The start of the second half brought a flurry of drama as Victor Osimhen appeared to double the lead in the 46th minute, only for VAR to rule it out for offside, before Tanzania’s Charles Momombwa equalized in the 50th minute.
Two minutes later, Lookman again cut inside and fired a rocket from the edge of the box to restore Nigeria’s lead to 2-1.
Outlook and Takeaways
In the final stages, Nigeria relied on individual moments as Tanzania pressed and nearly found another equalizer on several occasions.
Nigeria earned three points in Group C, with the group’s shape likely to become clearer after tonight’s Tunisia-Uganda result.
Next up, Nigeria meet Tunisia on Saturday, while Tanzania face Uganda the same day.
Punchline: If football were a bank, Nigeria would have deposited three points; Tanzania would still be waiting for the interest. That’s group-stage magic.
