Nigeria edged previous a spirited Tanzania facet with a 2–1 win of their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Nigeria started on the entrance foot and created early possibilities by way of Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams, forcing goalkeeper Zuberi Foba right into a string of saves.
Victor Osimhen was closely concerned, successful free kicks and stretching the Tanzanian again line along with his motion, whereas Ademola Lookman prompted issues slicing inside from the flank.
Tanzania, nevertheless, weren’t overawed and threatened on the counter, with Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta testing Stanley Nwabali.
The breakthrough arrived within the thirty sixth minute. From a Nigeria nook, Alex Iwobi delivered a pinpoint cross and Semi Ajayi rose unmarked to go confidently into the underside nook, giving the Tremendous Eagles a deserved 1-0 lead.
Nigeria pressed for a second earlier than the break, hitting the bar by way of Akor Adams and forcing additional saves from Foba, however went into half-time with a slim benefit.
Second half
Tanzania surprised Nigeria simply 5 minutes into the second half. A swift transfer down the correct ended with Novatus Miroshi’s cross discovering Charles M’Mombwa, who completed from shut vary to degree the scores at 1-1.
The equaliser briefly shifted momentum, however Nigeria responded virtually instantly. Within the 52nd minute, Lookman collected a go from Iwobi on the sting of the field and curled a exact left-footed strike into the underside nook to revive Nigeria’s lead.
The rest of the match was performed at a excessive tempo. Nigeria created alternatives to increase their benefit, with Osimhen, Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru all going shut, solely to be denied by Foba or wayward ending.
In the long run, it was a second of high quality from Lookman, that proved to be the distinction to present the Tremendous Eagles three massive factors.
