Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has conceded that Nigeria nonetheless have work to do in managing matches, even after opening their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 marketing campaign with a 2–1 win over Tanzania on Tuesday.
Nigeria claimed all three factors from a keenly contested Group C fixture, however Chelle acknowledged that the crew’s second-half show uncovered areas that should be improved because the match progresses.
“We’re proud of the three factors — that’s the precedence,” Chelle stated after the sport. “There have been positives, particularly within the first half, however the second half confirmed we nonetheless want to enhance, notably in how we kill off video games. We all know this, and we are going to work on it.”
The Tremendous Eagles loved the higher of the opening exchanges and imposed themselves for a lot of the primary half.
Their stress paid off shortly earlier than the break when Semi Ajayi powered dwelling a header from an Alex Iwobi nook to provide Nigeria a deserved lead at half-time.
Nigeria thought that they had doubled their benefit moments after the restart via Victor Osimhen, however celebrations had been lower quick after a VAR examine dominated the striker offside.
That setback gave Tanzania renewed perception, and the Taifa Stars made Nigeria pay when Novatus Dismas threaded a exact cross via the defence for Charles M’Mbowa, who calmly completed previous Stanley Nwabali to attract degree.
The response from Nigeria was swift and decisive. Only a minute later, Ademola Lookman curled an excellent strike into the web from exterior the field, restoring the Tremendous Eagles’ lead and reasserting management.
From then on, Nigeria targeted on sport administration, circulating the ball and limiting Tanzania’s attacking menace.
Though the Taifa Stars pushed for an additional equaliser late on — with Ibrahim Hamad firing over from a nook — the Tremendous Eagles held agency to safe an vital opening victory.
Nigeria will face Tunisia subsequent on December 27 in Fes.
The Carthage Eagles at present sit prime of Group C following a 3–1 win over Uganda, establishing a doubtlessly essential showdown within the race for group supremacy.
