Lookman’s screamer squeezes Eagles past Tanzania in 2025 AFCON opener

The Super Eagles defeated Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Ademola Lookman’s 20-yard screamer earned Nigeria a well-fought victory after an earlier goal from Semi Ajayi was cancelled out by Charles M’Mombwa’s strike at the Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco, on Tuesday.

In the soaking-wet atmosphere, the Eagles created plenty of scoring chances, but they were far from their clinical best.

The starting front two of Victor Osimhen and Adams Akor were mobile and physically imposing for the Tanzanian defence, and almost gave Nigeria the lead within the first few minutes.

Alex Iwobi, who had a faultless performance, threaded a through ball to Akor, but the striker’s shot was stopped by the face of Foba Masudi, the Tanzanian goalkeeper.

It was the crossbar that denied Akor a few minutes later when he rose highest to redirect Samuel Chukwueze’s cornerkick. The header slammed the top of the crossbar.

Chukwueze then found himself scooping a rebound after Foba parried a shot from Wilfred Ndidi into his path. The Fulham winger eliminated an onrushing defender with a cute feint, but his shot came off another defender before Foba threw himself up and teed the ricochet from lobbing into the net.

Then Osimhen got his opportunity also. Akor served a low pass, and the Galatasaray striker had only Foba to beat. Osimhen’s first touch took the ball around the goalkeeper, but his attempt on target was cleared off the line for a corner.

Nigeria scored the first goal of the game from the resulting corner kick. A short routine, and the ball was at the feet of Iwobi. With time and space, the Fulham midfielder picked out the head of Semi Ajayi from the crowd inside the box. The header swung into the far left corner of Foba’s goal.

The Eagles had less control of the game in the second half, and they suffered the consequence just five minutes after the restart.

The Nigerian defence was ball-watching as Tarryn Allarakhia floated a pass into the channel for a charging Charles M’Mombwa. The midfielder jabbed the ball past Stanley Nwabali in the Nigerian net.

However, the Eagles’ response was instant. Iwobi was also the creator. He tapped the ball into Lookman at the edge of the box. The winger dropped his shoulder to evade his marker before rifling the ball into the net with his weaker left foot.