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Nigeria passed a fiery Tanzania team with a 2-1 victory in their African Cup of Nations opener.
Nigeria started brightly and created early chances through Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams, forcing goalkeeper Zuberi Foba to make a series of saves.
Victor Osimhen was heavily involved, winning free kicks and stretching the Tanzanian backline with his movement, while Ademola Lookman caused problems cutting inside the flank.
Tanzania, however, were not intimidated or threatened on the counter-attack, with Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta testing Stanley Nwabali.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute. From a Nigerian corner, Alex Iwobi delivered a precise cross and Semi Ajayi rose unmarked to head confidently into the bottom corner, giving the Super Eagles a deserved 1-0 lead.
Nigeria pressed for a second before the break, hitting the bar through Akor Adams and forcing further saves from Foba, but went into half-time with a slight advantage.
Second half
Tanzania stunned Nigeria just five minutes into the second half. A quick move to the right ended with a Novatus Miroshi cross finding Charles M’Mombwa, who finished from close range to level the scores at 1-1.
The equalizer briefly changed the momentum, but Nigeria responded almost immediately. In the 52nd minute, Lookman collected a pass from Iwobi on the edge of the box and sent a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner to restore Nigeria’s lead.
The rest of the match was played at a high pace. Nigeria created chances to extend their advantage, with Osimhen, Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru all going close, only to be denied by Foba or a wayward finish.
In the end, it was a moment of quality from Lookman, which proved to be the difference to give the Super Eagles three big points.
