Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday defeated their Tanzanian counterparts 2-1 in a Group C opener at the 35th African Cup of Nations ( AFCON) played at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, Morocco.
Semi Ajayi broke the deadlock after the Eagles’ dominance through a header by Alex Iwobi to open the scoring in the 35th minute, displacing the resilient Tanzanian goalkeeper Zuberi Musadi.
On resumption from the second half, Victor Osimhen’s effort to make it two was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee ( VAR).
Tanzania’s determination paid off when Charles M’Mombwa’s finishing in the 50th minute brought Tanzania leveled with Nigeria.
Ademola Lookman, however, restored Nigeria’s lead again in the 52nd minute with a shot from outside the box.
The Eagles’ backline, marshalled by Calvin Bassey and Wilfred Ndidi, kept the Tanzanians, who tried several times to break the Eagles’ defence, at bay.
Speaking after the match, the head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, admitted he made some poor decisions, in spite of a 2–1 victory over the Taifa Stars.
I made a lot of choices; some were good, some were not good.
“I told the journalists that I have my vision and I’m the coach.”
I made a lot of choices; some were good, some were not good. I told the journalists that I have my vision and I’m the coach,” he said.
Tunisia, in another group C match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, defeated Uganda 3-1.
In other matches played today in group D, DR Congo defeated Benin Republic with a slim 1-0, while Senegal defeated Botswana 3-0 to top the group.
Nigeria will continue their campaign in the group when they take on Tunisia on Saturday in Fes, while Tanzania will also slug it out with Uganda on Saturday.
