Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead with a rising shot from simply exterior the field.
Ademola Lookman secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria towards Tanzania in Fes on Tuesday of their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.
After the frustration of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for extra targets given the alternatives his aspect created.
Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the many culprits. He failed to attain however may have claimed a hat-trick with higher ending.
Nigerian centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring within the first half, earlier than Charles M’Mombwa levelled quickly after half-time.
Lookman wins it for Nigeria
Nevertheless, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the successful purpose shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria’s blushes.
The primary half adopted a predictable sample with three-time champions Nigeria urgent and Tanzania absorbing strain as they sought a primary win after three attracts and 6 losses in three earlier AFCON appearances.
Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial damage after advancing off his line to dam a shot by Akor Adams.
From the resultant nook, Sevilla striker Adams got here shut as his near-post header hit the highest of the crossbar.
The east Africans threatened for the primary time on 14 minutes with an acrobatic shot from Saimon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali.
As rain started to fall in Fes, Nigerian frustrations surfaced with 2023 African participant of the yr Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad.
Osimhen misses
Osimhen then turned the point of interest of Nigerian assaults, threatening to attain twice earlier than one other try was cleared off the road by Bakari Nondo.
That set-piece led to the Tremendous Eagles taking the lead because the ball was performed again to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the nook of the web by Ajayi for his second worldwide purpose.
Samuel Chukwueze had an opportunity to extend the lead simply earlier than half-time, however his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi.
The opening seven minutes of the second interval had been dramatic as an Osimhen purpose was dominated offside, earlier than M’Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes after which 2024 African participant of the yr Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead two minutes later with a rising shot from simply exterior the field.
Chelle launched veteran Moses Simon for Adams within the useless hope of constructing a wider lead forward of what’s prone to be their hardest Group C match, towards Tunisia in Fes on Saturday.
Tanzania squandered an opportunity to equalise with three minutes of standard time remaining as a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded Nwabali, however substitute Kelvin John failed to attach with the ball.
Group C motion continues later Tuesday with Tunisia taking over Uganda in Rabat.
