Super Eagles survived a rain-slicked battle in Fez on Tuesday, securing a 2-1 victory over Tanzania to kickstart their Africa Cup of Nations Group C campaign with three hard-earned points.
While the 2023 silver medallists dominated the tempo, the encounter was marked by missed opportunities and a resilient Tanzanian side that refused to fold under pressure.
Lookman Delivers in the Deluge
The match was played under a heavy downpour that threatened to stifle Nigeria’s technical play. However, Semi Ajayi broke the deadlock in the first half, rising highest to power a header past the Tanzanian goalkeeper and give the West African giants a deserved lead.
The second half began with a shock for the Super Eagles when Charles M’Mombwa found an equalizer just five minutes after the restart. The parity was short-lived, however. Only two minutes later, Ademola Lookman regained the lead with a spectacular strike from outside the penalty area that skidded off the wet surface and into the net.
Wastefulness Causes Concern
Despite the win, Nigeria’s inability to convert possession into a more comfortable scoreline remained the primary talking point. The Super Eagles missed several clear-cut chances to put the game beyond reach, leading to a tense final quarter where Tanzania pushed for a second equalizer.
”Nigeria were more dominant than the scoreline suggests in terms of possession and chances,” noted an technical analyst following the match, “but they failed to finish off the contest and were almost made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal by their East African opponents.”
A “Positive Start” with Caveats
The victory provides a crucial foundation for Nigeria as they look to go one step further than their runner-up finish two years ago. However, the “moments of alarm” caused by defensive lapses and blunt finishing will give the coaching staff plenty to review before the next round of fixtures.
For Tanzania, the narrow defeat offers a morale boost, proving they can compete with the continent’s heavyweights even when starved of the ball.
