Nigeria got their AFCON 2025 campaign up and running with a nervy 2-1 win over Tanzania, but while the Super Eagles picked up the points, their opening night display left questions hanging. By contrast, Morocco and Egypt wasted no time in sending a clear message to the rest of the continent: they mean business.
Eric Sekou Chelle’s side sit provisionally top of Group C after the victory, pending Tunisia’s clash with Uganda later on. On paper, it looks like a solid start. On the pitch, it was far from convincing, with flashes of quality mixed with sloppy moments and missed chances that could prove costly later in the tournament.
Nigeria dominated the first half and should really have been out of sight. Akor Adams rattled the woodwork inside 11 minutes, while Victor Osimhen was denied a certain goal after being cleared off the line by Mwamnyeto following a sharp dribble in the box. Tanzania barely got a sniff, pinned back and chasing shadows for long spells.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Semi Ajayi rose highest to power home a header from Alex Iwobi’s inch perfect cross. It was deserved, and Nigeria continued to press. Ademola Lookman went close before the break after Ndidi’s long range effort forced a save, but the Atalanta man couldn’t quite finish the rebound.
The second half followed a familiar pattern. Osimhen thought he had doubled the lead with a clever backheel, only for the flag to go up for offside. And then came the wobble. Against the run of play, Tanzania levelled through Miroshi’s cut back to M’Mombwa, who finished calmly past Nwabali with one of their first real attacks.
Nigeria responded almost immediately. Lookman lashed home a powerful left footed strike from the edge of the box to restore the lead, showing the kind of quality expected from a team chasing the title. Still, the Super Eagles failed to kill the game off, wasting further chances and allowing Tanzania two late openings that could easily have punished them.
When you place that performance next to Morocco and Egypt’s opening games, the contrast is stark. Morocco cruised through their first match with authority, controlling possession, limiting risks and winning comfortably without ever getting out of second gear. Egypt, meanwhile, looked streetwise and ruthless, managing the game like a side that has been there and done it before.
Right now, Morocco and Egypt look like teams built to go all the way. Nigeria has talent in abundance, but they also has issues, lapses in concentration, missed chances, and a habit of making things harder than it needs to be. The win over Tanzania keeps their AFCON dream alive, but if the Super Eagles are serious about lifting the trophy for the first time since 2013, improvements must come fast.
Next up will be sterner tests, and the margin for error will shrink. Nigeria has the players to win this tournament, no doubt about that. But after round one, it’s Morocco and Egypt who look ready made for glory, while the Super Eagles are still finding their feet.
