How Ademola Lookman’s super strike sealed Nigeria’s opening AFCON win over Tanzania
SOURCE:The Athletic|BY:Michael Bailey and Max Mathews
The Super Eagles began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 Group C victory in Fes, Morocco
The Super Eagles began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 Group C victory in Fes, Morocco
Michael Bailey and Max Mathews
December 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM EST
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Nigeria up and running with AFCON victory
Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C opener in Fes, Morocco.
Semi Ajayi headed home Alex Iwobi’s cross on 36 minutes to open the scoring and it looked like Nigeria had scored again inside the opening minute of the second half, only for Victor Osimhen’s effort to be rightly ruled out for offside.
Charles M’Mombwa’s first-time finish (52’) then brought Tanzania level but Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead seconds later, with a sharp shot from outside the box.
Despite their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria are one of the favourites to lift the trophy and made the perfect start to their tournament tonight.
Group C is officially under way with Nigeria’s victory over Tanzania — and the other two teams in the group also play today: Tunisia are facing Uganda in Rabat as I write.
The second round of games in this group then comes on Saturday, beginning with Tanzania meet Uganda — also in Rabat — in the early evening kick-off.
Nigeria are then back in action in Fes come 8pm (GMT, 3pm ET), when they face Tunisia.
Nigeria win another AFCON opener
Nigeria, with today's win, have triumphed in 14 of their 21 (two-thirds) first matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (two draws, five defeats).
They are unbeaten in their last four AFCON openers.
The Super Eagles have also been victorious in 11 of their last 15 group games.
Charles M’Mombwa’s equaliser showed what Tanzania are capable of when they play with confidence and on the front foot.
After seeing a Victor Osimhen strike chalked off for offside, Tanzania broke down the right through full-back Shomari Kapombe.
Mbwana Samatta came inside and played back to Tarryn Allarakhia, who found the increasingly influential Novatus Miroshi. His first-time, looping diagonal bypassed Nigeria’s static defence.
Despite Nigerian keeper Stanley Nwabali’s comical appeal for offside, there was M’Mombwa on the edge of the six-yard box. His glorious right-foot finish beat Nwabali’s outstretched right leg and briefly levelled.
It was not Tanzania’s only chance — the team are capable of creating chances. Some belief would surely work wonders.
Given their ranking as the 112th-ranked side in the world, it was a sensible policy and initially came with success. Had they been more aggressive in the early stages, Nigeria may have been further rattled.
But some of their rudimentary attempts at frustration would have been punished by a stricter official. Osimhen was livid at Ibrahim Hamad for grabbing his mask midway through the first half.
Uganda and Tunisia will get chances against the Taifa Stars. Osimhen was afforded space and had chances to score. Tanzania were indebted to some last-ditch defending by Zuberi Foba and keeper Bakari Mwamnyeto was kept busy.
Going forward, they are dangerous on the break, especially from the right, as M’Mombwa’s equaliser showed.
How did Osimhen get on?
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All eyes were firmly on Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen but despite plenty of endeavour, this was a frustrating performance for the Galatasaray forward.
He began rustily, miscontrolling an Lookman through ball into the box, even if he was ultimately flagged offside. Minutes later, he slipped while mishitting a half-volley, before skewing a later effort on the break well wide.
Osimhen gradually grew into the game, making increasingly menacing runs in behind. His frustration was evident when passes failed to arrive, often remonstrating with team-mates.
Just before the interval, his spectacular bicycle kick was blocked, and he was desperately unlucky not to give Nigeria the lead early in the second half.
In a moment of wonderful improvisation, Osimhen diverted Akor Adams’ cross into the net with a backheel volley, only for the effort to be ruled offside by the narrowest of margins.
Still, it was a positive sign for Nigeria that they prevailed despite an off day from Osimhen.
They failed to win any of the five World Cup qualifiers he missed through injury, and they will not win AFCON by relying on the performances of a single player.
Who stood out for Nigeria?
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Alex Iwobi provided Nigeria with the attacking thrust from central midfield needed to unlock a deep-lying Tanzanian side.
Operating as one of the two box-to-box midfielders alongside Fulham team-mate Samuel Chukwueze in a 4-4-2 diamond, Iwobi drifted intelligently into pockets of space across the pitch.
On the ball, he regularly rolled his marker before driving forward with purpose.
His combination play with Ademola Lookman was particularly effective, with one move seeing Iwobi burst through midfield and slide an incisive through ball to Victor Osimhen, who was caught flat-footed and failed to capitalise.
Iwobi was rewarded for his bright display with two assists: the first a superb whipped cross for centre-back Semi Ajayi to head home, the second a simple pass to Lookman, who did the rest with a terrific finish from outside the area.
Tanzania have enough to get that elusive first win here
Tanzania's wait for a first AFCON win goes on.
It's now 10 games and counting.
But they can gain confidence from parts of this performance, and with a little more belief perhaps that victory will come against Uganda on Saturday or Tunisia on Tuesday.
Full-time stats zone
A lovely start for Nigeria, who looked fully deserving of their opening win if you base it on the numbers from their victory over Tanzania …
FT: Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Possession %: 59 — 41
Shots: 21 — 11
On target: 11 — 3
XG: 1.55 — 0.79
Big chances: 4 — 1
Blocked shots: 3 — 3
Touches in opposition box: 32 — 13
Duels won: 45 — 50
Dispossessed: 12 — 6
The reality felt a little more narrow through the second half but it really did always feel like Nigeria could step it up another level if it was going to be needed — regardless how gallant Tanzania were through the 90 minutes.
Nigeria 2 Tanzania 1: The Briefing
Who stood out for Nigeria today?
How did Victor Osimhen get on?
What was Tanzania’s goal like? Did they impress?
Below, The Athletic's Conor O’Neill and Peter Carline go through the talking points from Fes.
...and nearly paid for it
Everything felt rushed. Instead of moving Tanzania around, they forced play forward or took shots when the opportunity was not there.
Towards the end Tanzanian centre-back Ibrahim Hamad almost scored, skewing a close range effort over the bar.
Nigeria looked shorn of confidence, understandable given their World Cup qualification disappointment, but it is an issue that will need addressing quickly.
Nigeria lost their composure late on
After dominating the first hour, Nigeria fell over the line in the end with an unconvincing finish to the game.
Some of that owed to the plucky, determined resistance of a Tanzanian side that refused to fold — but a real nervousness crept into Nigeria’s play after Ademola Lookman gave them a 2-1 lead.
Suddenly, after previously controlling possession, the match turned into an end-to-end affair with Nigeria repeatedly surrendering the ball through careless passes.
Plenty to build on
I’d say that was one of those ‘positives all round’ opening group games you get.
Nigeria would’ve been expected to win, and delivered enough in terms of output and performance to show they will be a powerful challenger throughout this tournament.
As for a Tanzania side that has yet to win an AFCON match in their history, there was enough in those 90 minutes to show they can yet deliver that milestone against either Tunisia or Uganda.
FULL TIME: Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
That’s it!
Nigeria weren't at their best but pick up a narrow victory.
Tanzania played very well really and restricted Nigeria to a handful of clear-cut chances.
Positives for both sides to take.
Nigeria slowing it down
90+3' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Clever from Nigeria, who are slowing the match down effectively.
Tanzania not really pressing despite there only being seconds left.
Alex Iwobi applauds as Nigeria work it back accurately to eat away precious seconds.
Three minutes added on
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90+1' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
And three minutes for Tanzania to find an equaliser.
Goalscorer M’Mombwa is off, winger Kibu Denis is on.
Oh my goodness, that was such a great opportunity.
And rather fitting that it ended with Ibrahim Hamad suffering a bout of cramp, potentially brought on by embarrassment as much as fatigue.
How has Hamad missed that?!
89' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Wow.
Corner bent in, Ndidi slices it horribly back towards the near post and defender Ibrahim Hamad is there ready to take a swipe at the bouncing ball.
Not only does he slap it over, no sort of shot really, he picks up some cramp, such was the desperation of his swing.
Cruel.
Great move from Tanzania!
88' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Nearly, nearly for the underdogs.
Ally Samatta picks up the ball and feeds the flying M'Mombwa down the left.
Clever low pass between the defence and goalkeeper, Nwabali comes but doesn't know what to do with it so the retreating Bassey pokes it out for a corner to deny Kelvin John at the back post.
John was poised to tap it into an empty net!
Nigeria turn to their bench as Osimhen trots off
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86' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Off is Victor Osimhen, who takes off his face mask.
He doesn’t look fantastically impressed to be taken off and walks away from boss Eric Chelle, who tugs him back by the arm to impart a few more words.
Paul Onuachu, the nearly two-metre tall striker, is on in his stead.
Wasteful, Kelvin John
84' Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Tanzania have a new energy now and Haji Mnoga, bleach blond hair, wins the ball from Moses Simon with a firm but fair tackle.
A few moments later, they drive forward via Kelvin John, who should feed Mnoga in space down the right, but takes the shot on himself despite several opponents being in his way.
It whistles wide. Stanley Nwabali had that covered.
