Fes, Morocco: Ademola Lookman secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fes yesterday in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.
After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportunities his side created.
Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits. He failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing. Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half, before Charles M’Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.
However, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the winning goal shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria’s blushes.
The first half followed a predictable pattern with three-time champions Nigeria pressing and Tanzania soaking up pressure as they sought a first win after three draws and six losses in three previous AFCON appearances.
Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial injury after advancing off his line to block a shot by Akor Adams.
From the resultant corner, Sevilla striker Adams came close as his near-post header hit the top of the crossbar.
The east Africans threatened for the first time on 14 minutes with an acrobatic shot from Saimon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali.
As rain began to fall in Fes, Nigerian frustrations surfaced with 2023 African player of the year Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad.
Osimhen then became the focal point of Nigerian attacks, threatening to score twice before another attempt was cleared off the line by Bakari Nondo. That set-piece led to the Super Eagles taking the lead as the ball was played back to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the corner of the net by Ajayi for his second international goal.
Samuel Chukwueze had a chance to increase the lead just before half-time, but his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi.
The opening seven minutes of the second period were dramatic as an Osimhen goal was ruled offside, before M’Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes and then 2024 African player of the year Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead two minutes later with a rising shot from just outside the box. Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead ahead of what is likely to be their toughest Group C match, against Tunisia in Fes on Saturday.
Senegal cruise to victory
In Tangiers, Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace as Senegal eased to a 3-0 victory over Botswana.
Jackson, on loan at the Bundesliga giants from Chelsea, struck either side of half-time in Tangier, with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late on.
The victory took Senegal to the top of the table in Group D on goal difference, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Benin 1-0 in Rabat earlier.
It was a predictable outcome to the first match of the tournament for both teams as Senegal are 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings.
DR Congo beat Benin
In Rabat, the Democratic Republic of Congo edged out Benin 1-0 in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations with Theo Bongonda scoring the only goal of the Group D clash.
Bongonda, of Spartak Moscow, pounced to score on 16 minutes at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat after the Benin defence left a long ball.
The Leopards thought they had doubled their lead just after half-time when Cedric Bakambu met a Nathanael Mbuku cross to head home from close range, but the goal was eventually ruled out for offside after a long VAR check.
One goal proved enough, however, for a DR Congo side backed by the majority of the crowd and who will hope to emerge from a group which also contains 2022 champions Senegal and Botswana -- those teams were due to face off later Tuesday in Tangier.
