On a cold rainy evening at the Complex de sportif, Fes, Morocco. Nigeria kicked off its AFCON 2025 campaign as they came up against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.
Eric Chelle ahead of the game yesterday spoke about the most important thing for him being the win for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and if he himself did not prioritise that, it was something that was very Important to the Nigerian fans across the world.
Well, the team did deliver on that, A 2-1 win for the team courtesy a goal from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman sealed the win for Eric Chelle’s boys.
Ajayi opened the scoring with a placing header after Alex Iwobi put in a beautiful cross off the right hand side from a corner that was cleared.
Nigeria conceded early into the second half in the 50th minute. Victor Osimhen had put the ball into the net, but was slightly offside, and the run of play after that scene saw Nigeria concede from a cross at the back post.
Nigeria got into the lead quickly after Ademola Lookman got a pass from Alex Iwobi, then faints the ball, shoots and finds the left corner.
Asides the win, Nigeria were dominant from start to finish — something you hardly see from the team at times. Although you could argue that the quality of opponents is not of the highest standard, but, they have played not so many standard opponents recently and not performed this way, so giving them credit for a very well done job is crucial.
Nigeria had the first clear opportunity to open the scoring in the game as early as the 2nd minute, a beautifully intercepted by Lookman was headed into offensive transition, his pass was swung to Victor Osimhen on the right, and his shot was off target. A couple of chances fell to him, but the one that had all the fans on their seats, was the one in the 36th minute, he rounded the goalkeeper to slot it, but Bakari Nondo, the central defender of the Taifa Stars was fast to make a goal line clearance.
Timothy Dehinbo of Elegbete TV Sports live at the Fes Stadium, analyses the talking points from the game below.
The best Start for Nigeria
As team that has just failed to qualify for the World Cup back right back, then comes the AFCON, few games close after that disappointment, the only thing you want to do is to win and boost confidence for yourself, and also give the fans something to cheer for, and that was the Super Eagles did.
The most interesting part of this is that they did not just win the game, they played well and were convincing — looking the better side all the time.
Nigeria have opened their AFCON 2025 Campaign the best way, and they can only pick it up from here.
Alex Iwobi Five Star Performance
In recent times, Alex Iwobi seemed to look like the scapegoat everyone wants to attack whenever something doesn’t go well for the Nigerian team.
Today he showed why he’s still Nigeria’s most creative outlet and why he is always going to be banked on.
His pin point cross in the 36th minute gave Nigeria the goal, after they had failed to convert chances they had.
His pass to Lookman in the 52nd minute was also the second for Nigeria, and it was important.
He had good balls into the ground that found Osimhen but it was wide a few times when it found him.
Alex was controlling a lot in midfield and was really crucial to Nigeria’s opener.
Ademola Lookman loves the AFCON
Take it back to January/February, 2024 at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, remember how much of a crucial piece Lookman was for Nigeria?
Yes, Lookman loves the AFCON.
At the World Cup qualifiers for Nigeria he had just one goal involvement in 10 games, just one assist, the assist for Osimhen against Rwanda.
His quick instinct to do what he did for that goal he scored was hugely impressive, and yes, Ademola Lookman’s AFCON is here.
Chukwueze’s Dazzle — And the need for its Consistency
If you probably were on commentary for the game, Chukwueze’s name on your mouth would have run so much, non stop.
Chukwueze put his body on almost everything that happened in today’s game for Nigeria. For the 58 minutes he partook in, he was involved in dribbling into the final third, crossing and switching play, even though some were not accurate, he was also involved in the tackles.
The performance from the Fulham forward was clinical and following him from the past week before the AFCON, you’d see how superb he has been and so his performance tonight may not be a surprise.
This is the performance that Nigerians would need to continue for him, because many times we have seen Chukwueze as an inconsistent outlet.
How did Adams fare on his debut?
The AFCON is a big stage, the biggest in Africa, and when you get an opportunity to perform on that level, you just have to grasp it or it may slip off your hands especially when you have other players breathing down your neck.
Adams had a fair game, he could have gotten a goal in the 9th and 11 minute, his header. In the 9th minute he was played through on by Samuel Chukwueze, but he failed to slot past the rounded goalkeeper. He was unlucky in the 11th minute when his header hit the cross bar.
He showed a bright glimpse in the half, and a few minutes into the second half he featured in, he also held his ground.
Adams debut wasn’t so sparkful, but it doesn’t get any criticism, and for a debut at the big stage like this, it is heads up lad.
What Next for the Super Eagles?
Saturday, December 27: Vs Tunisia, Fes Stadium. 21:00 WAT
