AFCON: Ademola Lookman’s Second-Half Strike Seals Nigeria Win Over Tanzania
Ademola Lookman’s brilliant second-half strike handed Nigeria a nervy 2-1 win over Tanzania in their opening AFCON Group C clash in Fes, as the Super Eagles got off to a winning start despite a few heart-in-mouth moments.
The silver medallists from two years ago dominated long spells in the pouring rain but made hard work of it, failing to kill the game when on top. Tanzania hung around and nearly made them pay late on.
Nigeria controlled possession from the off and penned the East Africans deep inside their own half. Chances came early. Victor Osimhen rounded goalkeeper Zuberi Foba midway through the first half, only for his shot to be hacked off the line when a goal looked certain.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 36 minutes. Alex Iwobi swung in a teasing cross and Semi Ajayi rose unmarked near the six-yard box, steering his header past Foba with ease. It felt like the floodgates might open. They didn’t.
Tanzania, largely on the back foot, found a way back five minutes after the restart. Novatus Miroshi’s high, hanging delivery caught out the Nigerian back line and Charles M’Mombwa timed his run perfectly, volleying home to stun the favourites.
That equaliser only seemed to spark Nigeria back into life. Two minutes later, Lookman picked up the ball outside the box, twisted his marker inside out and unleashed a superb 25-yard effort that flew into the far corner. A goal of real quality, and one that settled the nerves – just about.
Tanzania refused to fold and pushed late for another leveller. Kelvin John came agonisingly close to tapping into an empty net, while Ibrahim Hamad blazed over from close range as Nigeria’s defence creaked under pressure.
In the end, the Super Eagles held on. It makes it 10 AFCON games without a win for Tanzania, while Nigeria take three points that could prove crucial in a tight group. Up next, Nigeria will look to sharpen their finishing as they chase top spot, knowing tougher tests are still to come.