Thrilling opener in Fès
Nigeria’s Super Eagles kicked off their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign with a tense 2-1 win over Tanzania inside a festive but windy Fès Stadium, roughly 350 kilometres north-east of Casablanca, on Saturday night, giving Group C an immediate jolt.
The Nigerians, three-time continental champions, were roared on by a pocket of expatriate fans and neutral Congolese supporters who had made the trip to Morocco, turning one corner of the stands into a sea of green shirts, drums and vuvuzelas.
Coach José Peseiro named a front line led by Victor Osimhen, while Tanzanian tactician Adel Amrouche stuck to a compact 4-4-2, hoping to frustrate the favourites and strike on the break under the milky floodlights.
Ajayi’s header sets the tone
Nigeria’s early pressure translated into a deserved breakthrough on 36 minutes when muscular defender Semi Ajayi ghosted in at the far post to nod home a curling free-kick from wing-back Ola Aina, sparking wild celebrations on the touchline and a relieved fist pump from Peseiro.
The centre-back’s first international goal in two years reflected Nigeria’s emphasis on set pieces, a department the technical staff had singled out during their Brazzaville training camp earlier this month after noticing Tanzanian vulnerability on high balls.
Tanzania’s response was immediate yet wayward, as skipper Mbwana Samatta blazed over from near the penalty spot, a miss that would later haunt the egalitarian Taifa Stars, who were chasing only a second ever CAN main-stage victory.
Taifa Stars fight back
Five minutes after the restart the East Africans found their equaliser, Charles M’Mombwa reacting fastest to a loose clearance and steering a low drive past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, whose view had been blocked by a forest of legs in the six-yard area.
That strike, greeted by joyous ululations from a small but audible Dar es Salaam enclave, injected fresh urgency into a contest that had been drifting toward Nigerian control, obliging Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka to drop deeper in midfield to regain shape.
Suddenly the Super Eagles looked uneasy, and when Osimhen saw a bullet header ruled out for a marginal offside after a swift VAR check, the mainly Moroccan spectators started to believe an upset might be brewing in the Middle Atlas air.
Lookman delivers the winner
Parity, however, lasted barely two minutes, as Ademola Lookman exploited a defensive lapse to slot calmly beyond the advancing Aishi Manula, restoring Nigerian advantage and silencing Tanzanian drums just as they had reached fever pitch.
The Atalanta winger’s composed finish underscored the depth of attacking options at Peseiro’s disposal, with Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze both waiting on the bench, a luxury not enjoyed by many Group C rivals.
From then on Nigeria managed territory intelligently, slowing the tempo through quick triangles and drawing clever fouls, while debutant centre-half Benjamin Tanimu impressed with two crucial blocks that kept Samatta and M’Mombwa at arm’s length.
What the results mean for Group C
Nigeria move top with three points, level on goal difference with Tunisia, who earlier defeated Uganda 3-1 thanks to an Elyes Skhiri opener and an Elias Achouri brace, while Denis Omedi’s stoppage-time effort proved mere consolation.
Tanzania sit third, knowing a positive result against the Carthage Eagles in midweek will be vital to keep knockout hopes alive, whereas Uganda face the daunting task of halting Osimhen and company, a prospect that has already sparked animated debate on Kampala sports radio.
Busy day across Morocco
Elsewhere in Group D, the Democratic Republic of Congo edged Benin 1-0 in Rabat courtesy of a well-worked first-half move, showcasing the compact defensive shape nurtured by coach Sébastien Desabre during recent friendlies in Pointe-Noire.
Later in the evening, continental holders Senegal underlined their pedigree with a fluent 3-0 success over Botswana in Tangier, their wide interplay and high press drawing appreciative applause from scattered Brazzaville tourists plotting train journeys back to Casablanca for the next round of fixtures.
Coach reactions and next steps
Speaking at the post-match briefing, Peseiro praised his men for ‘maintaining calm after the equaliser’ and highlighted the mental work done during a three-day retreat in Oyo, northern Congo, where players practised breathing techniques introduced by the medical department to handle pressure moments efficiently together.
Across the aisle, Amrouche lamented ‘two lapses of concentration’ but stressed that his youthful squad had matched Nigeria for long spells; he promised bolder wing play against Tunisia and thanked Moroccan organisers for providing a training base with portable altitude chambers and locally sourced halal menus.
Service info for supporters
Fans travelling from Brazzaville to the next Group C match in Casablanca on Tuesday can still find discounted seats on the daily Air Congo morning flight, while the Moroccan rail operator ONCF confirms an extra late-night service back to Rabat; temperatures are forecast around 17°C with light Atlantic breezes.