The Super Eagles kicked off their latest AFCON campaign with a nervy win on Tuesday evening. Nigeria arrive at the Africa Cup of Nations hoping to bounce back from their World Cup heartbreak, having lost on penalties to DR Congo in the CAF play-off final last month. While that result is being disputed, it represented a second successive qualification failure and led to questions over the future of head coach Eric Chelle, with captain William Troost-Ekong also retiring from international football.
Wilfred Ndidi now has the armband as Nigeria go to Morocco seeking a fourth AFCON title and first since 2013, having been bested in the final by hosts Ivory Coast in the last edition. With Victor Osimhen leading an attacking side, they are once again among the favourites for glory, though had a battle with Tanzania to open Group C in rainy Fez as Ademola Lookman notched what proved to be the winning goal shortly after Semi Ajayi’s opener had been cancelled out by Charles M'Mombwa and Osimhen saw an effort ruled out for offside.
Tanzania sacked their manager just a month out from this tournament and are now led by Argentine Miguel Angel Gamondi, who will take heart from his side’s performance and still hope to guide the Taifa Stars to their first-ever win at AFCON after three previous appearances in which they failed to produce a single victory. Follow Nigeria vs Tanzania live below!
Nigeria vs Tanzania highlights
- GOAL! Lookman quickly fires Nigeria back in front
- GOAL! M'Mombwa steers in Tanzania equaliser
- NO GOAL! Osimhen effort ruled out after break
- GOAL! Ajayi heads Super Eagles in front
- Adams crashes early header off the crossbar
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:23 , George FloodFull-time
Not nearly as comfortable as they would have liked in that second half, but the Super Eagles are up and running with a win at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Now over to Tunisia and Uganda as they contest the second Group C fixture at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium shortly.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:21 , George Flood91 mins: One final attacking change from the Taifa Stars.
Kibu Denis replaces goalscorer M'Mombwa in stoppage time.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:19 , George Flood90 mins: Tanzania clear another hopeful Nigeria delivery from the left flank into the box before trying to embark on another fast counter-attack.
This time the Super Eagles clean up efficiently.
The fourth official’s board goes up - we’ll have three minutes of added time in Fez.
Is there a late twist to come in Group C?
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:17 , George Flood87 mins: Nigeria are living so dangerously late on as Bassey makes a crucial intervention to deny an equaliser before the ball is lashed over from close range by Tanzania after Ndidi fails to clear the resulting corner delivery.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:16 , George Flood85 mins: There will be no goal for Osimhen tonight as Nigeria’s talisman is withdrawn late on in Fez.
Former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu, now of Trabzonspor, comes on in his place.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:13 , George Flood83 mins: Just seven minutes plus stoppage time to go now as Tanzania break and substitute John flashes a low shot wide of Nwabali’s back post.
Nervy moments for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:11 , George Flood80 mins: Hamad blasts well over from miles out after a Tanzania free-kick into the box from the right following a foul by captain Ndidi.
At the other end, Osimhen is muscled off the ball inside the six-yard box before Dele-Bashiru’s follow-up attempt is blocked.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:09 , George Flood78 mins: More Tanzania changes first as Dickson Job and Salford’s Haji Mnoga replace Rochdale’s Tarryn Allarakhia and Shomari Kapombe.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:05 , George Flood75 mins: A deflected Lookman cross is gathered by Foba before the Atalanta star then gives the ball away in frustrating fashion on the edge of the Tanzania box.
More reinforcements are coming from Eric Chelle to try and put this game away.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
19:03 , George Flood72 mins: Into the final 20 minutes and Nigeria have upped the tempo again, with substitute Moses Simon making an impact.
A couple of dangerous-looking crosses are repelled as Tanzania cling on inside the box.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:58 , George Flood68 mins: Tanzania respond with another couple of quick-fire corners, with Bassey seeing off the first before the second is overhit.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:56 , George Flood66 mins: He’s got two assists to his name tonight so far and now Iwobi weaves inside the box before firing over with Foba at full stretch.
Osimhen wanted to be played in there.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:54 , George Flood63 mins: Over an hour gone in Fez and Tanzania are certainly not out of this as they pour forward again and earn another corner.
This is a really stiff test for the Super Eagles to open Group C.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:53 , George Flood60 mins: Lookman has another effort deflected wide and Osimhen also tries his luck.
Msuva’s 100th international appearance is over as Tanzania send on Denmark-based forward Kelvin John.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:48 , George Flood57 mins: Lookman goes into the book for a foul on Miroshi.
That’s the first yellow card of the evening brandished by referee Dahane Beida.
A couple of changes now for Nigeria as Moses Simon and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replace Adams and Chukwueze.
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
18:46 , George Flood54 mins: Some of Nigeria’s defending so far in this second half has looked extremely suspect in the heavy rain.
Msuva guides wide from close range as Tanzania look to draw level again, but the offside flag is up.
It wouldn’t have counted.
GOAL! Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania | Ademola Lookman 52'
18:42 , George Flood52 mins: What a start to this second half!
Almost two goals in two minutes as Lookman drives the Super Eagles back in front.
Stunning stuff.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Tanzania | Charles M'Mombwa 50'
18:40 , George Flood50 mins: How about that!
Soon after Osimhen is denied, M'Mombwa pops up at the back post to guide a cross beyond Nwabali.
Game on in Fez.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:37 , George Flood47 mins: GOOOA... NO!
Osimhen steers home a second for the Super Eagles after fine work from Adams, but the offside flag is quickly raised.
It’s checked and cleared, goal won’t stand.
Almost a dream start to the second half for Nigeria.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:35 , George FloodBack underway in Fez, where the rain continues to hammer down.
Can Nigeria put this match to bed, or do Tanzania have a comeback in them?
The key moment from that first half.
A fine Alex Iwobi cross and a decisive header from Semi Ajayi.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:23 , George FloodHalf-time
So far, so good for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
They were being frustrated for much of that first half, but stayed patient and got their reward through Ajayi’s crisp header from an excellent Iwobi cross.
They could have added to their lead before the interval and will be confident of putting this game away after half-time and taking early control of Group C before Tunisia meet Uganda later on.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:20 , George Flood46 mins: Nigeria push for a second goal on the stroke of half-time, with Foba parrying Ndidi’s initial drive from distance.
Chukwueze picks up the rebound and crucially hesitates before his deflected effort from close range is tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Osimhen goes for the acrobatic from the resulting corner but it’s off target.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:18 , George Flood44 mins: Nigeria have yet to really build on that Ajayi goal here, it must be said.
It looks like we will have just the one extra minute before half-time.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:16 , George Flood41 mins: A warning for the Super Eagles not to get too comfortable as Tanzania captain Samatta’s effort is saved by Nwabali.
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
18:13 , George Flood38 mins: Has this referee remembered to bring his yellow card?
Tanzania continue to fly in with some pretty poor challenges in the wet.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania | Semi Ajayi 36'
18:09 , George Flood36 mins: There is the opening goal from the Super Eagles!
It’s been coming and Hull centre-back Ajayi rises to head home a lofted cross by Fulham’s Iwobi.
Nigeria are off and running at AFCON.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
18:08 , George Flood35 mins: Osimhen rounds goalkeeper Foba for the second time in a matter of minutes, but this time his low effort is cleared off the line by Mwamnyeto.
Vital defending. Nigeria are really knocking on the door now...
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
18:06 , George Flood32 mins: These fouls from Tanzania are really adding up now as Adams is wiped out by Hussein.
Osimhen is almost in after going past Foba but being forced too far wide.
Chukwueze has the space to run in the rain but Tanzania thwart Nigeria’s latest attack.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
18:02 , George Flood29 mins: The corner eventually comes in again from the right after referee Dahane Beida gives both sets of players a stern warning.
Foba gets hands to it and is clattered by Bassey, leading to a pressure-relieving free-kick for Tanzania.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
18:00 , George Flood27 mins: Lookman steps up after the latest foul on Osimhen and whips an effort wide, though it took a deflection.
Super Eagles centre-backs Bassey and Ajayi are wrestling with their respective markers inside the box and the referee wants a retake.
Chaos in that Tanzania box as Osimhen again makes his feelings felt.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:58 , George Flood25 mins: Osimhen is brought down again and reacts furiously, I think it was Miroshi who caught him.
He angrily signals that’s several times now that he’s been fouled with no yellow cards produced.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:54 , George Flood19 mins: A searching cross from Osayi-Samuel down the Nigeria right is just pushed over the head of Osimhen by Tanzania goalkeeper Foba.
Osimhen is penalised anyway for a push in the back of Mwamnyeto.
The rain is now falling quite heavily in Fez.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:51 , George Flood17 mins: Tanzania let fly from range but a block is quickly made.
It’s been a decent start from the Taifa Stars, who look to have enough in attack to trouble Nigeria.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:47 , George Flood15 mins: A lightning quick counter-attack from Nigeria as Lookman feeds Osimhen, who blazes over at the near post before the offside flag is belatedly raised.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:46 , George Flood13 mins: Danger for Nigeria as a decent cross from the right goes just over the head of Ajayi before a goal-bound effort from Msuva is held by Nwabali.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:43 , George Flood11 mins: So close to a Super Eagles opener!
Chukwueze’s accurate corner delivery from the left is headed over off the crossbar by Adams.
A huge early chance for Nigeria.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:42 , George Flood8 mins: More sustained pressure from Nigeria as they earn a couple of corners in quick succession, with Osimhen posing a real threat.
Tanzania goalkeeper Foba is down and in need of treatment.
The Super Eagles’ players take the chance to discuss their strategy among themselves.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:39 , George Flood6 mins: A free-kick swung into the box by Tanzania is easily gathered by Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali.
A good early tempo to this contest, Sanusi is annoyed after Nigeria are denied a corner on the left.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:38 , George Flood5 mins: A long-range effort from Fulham loanee Chukwueze bobbles slightly before being scooped up by Foba, making his first senior international start in goal for Tanzania this evening.
No pressure...
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:36 , George Flood3 mins: Plenty of early pressure from Nigeria, who are eager to get both full-backs involved in Osayi-Samuel and Sanusi.
They want to get a lot of deliveries into the box to test this Tanzanian defence.
An early foul on Osimhen leaves the Nigeria talisman down, but he’ll be fine to continue.
Nigeria 0-0 Tanzania
17:34 , George Flood1 min: A lively start as Tanzania attack from the off before almost getting caught on the counter-attack, but Osimhen’s low cross intended for Lookman inside the box is intercepted and scrambled clear.
Nigeria vs Tanzania
17:32 , George FloodUnderway in Fez!
The Super Eagles will be hoping for a comfortable win to begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Dahane Beida of Mauritania is the referee, with Haggag Ibrahim on VAR duty.
Nigeria in green and black, with Tanzania wearing blue and yellow.
Players are out
17:28 , George FloodHere come the teams at Fez Stadium in northern Morocco.
It’s time for the national anthems, beginning with Nigeria.
It’s full-time in Tangier by the way, where Senegal have beaten Botswana 3-0 in Group D with Nicolas Jackson notching a brace.
The biggest win of this young tournament so far and a statement of intent from the Lions of Teranga, AFCON champions in 2021.
Tanzania changes as Msuva and Samatta return
17:15 , George FloodTanzania have played friendlies against Kuwait and Iran over recent weeks but make a raft of changes from their last competitive outing, the 1-0 home defeat by Zambia in their final World Cup qualifier in October.
Zuberi Foba, Shomari Kapombe, Mohamed Hussein, Novatus Miroshi, Alphonce Mabula and Rochdale’s Tarryn Allarakhia all come in, alongside captain Mbwana Samatta and fellow experienced forward Simon Msuva.
Msuva earns his 100th cap and would become Tanzania’s joint all-time leading scorer with a goal this evening.
Attacking team from Nigeria
17:03 , George FloodNigeria have all of their big players back that missed the 2-1 Afcon warm-up friendly defeat by Egypt in Cairo last week.
There are two changes from head coach Eric Chelle to the Super Eagles side that lined up in the World Cup play-off clash with DR Congo in November, with Bright Osayi-Samuel at right-back with Benjamin Fredrick and Ola Aina both injured.
The other alteration sees Brentford’s Frank Onyeka make way as Nigeria opt for another forward in Akor Adams to join a very attacking lineup alongside Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Former Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, now of Besiktas, is captain following the international retirement of former skipper William Troost-Ekong just weeks before the tournament.
Nigeria lineup
16:54 , George FloodAnd here’s the Nigeria team...
Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, Chukwueze, Akor, Osimhen
Tanzania lineup
16:51 , George FloodHere’s how Tanzania line up this evening...
Foba, Kapombe, Hussein, Hamad, Mwamnyeto, Miroshi, Mabula, M'Mombwa, Msuva, Samatta, Allarakhia
Nigeria’s players appear to be in great spirits ahead of their Group C opener this evening.
Team news hopefully will reach us very shortly....
Here’s how we made our way to Fes Stadium for the game 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/E8nI7bEvPr
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 23, 2025
Nigeria’s players have been out assessing the pitch at Fez Stadium, the 45,000-capacity venue opened in 2007 that hosts Moroccan top-flight club Maghreb de Fes and occasionally the Morocco national team.
Will Akor Adams start in attack this evening for the Super Eagles, alongside Victor Osimhen?
Msuva and Samatta eye Tanzania goal record
16:31 , George FloodA couple of Tanzania’s players sit on the verge of significant milestones ahead of today’s game against Nigeria.
The returning Simon Msuva should earn his 100th senior cap for the Taifa Stars this evening, while a goal would see him draw level on 25 with Mrisho Ngassa as Tanzania’s all-time leading scorer.
Captain Mbwana Samatta is just two behind on 22 goals.
Nigeria seeking World Cup reprieve
16:16 , George FloodAs noted, Nigeria are currently in the process of disputing their heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the CAF World Cup play-off final last month.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) allege that the inclusion of several dual-nationality players broke the DR Congo’s own rules on that topic, submitting an official complaint to FIFA.
However, the Congolese Association Football Federation (Fecofa) have dismissed their claims as “poor sportsmanship” and labelled Nigeria as “bad losers”.
Today's AFCON round-up so far
16:07 , George FloodTo bring you up to date with what’s already happened on another busy early day at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, dominant DR Congo - who will meet either Jamaica or New Caledonia in Mexico in March for a place at the World Cup finals - took early control of Group D with a 1-0 win over Benin at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium at lunchtime.
Spartak Moscow winger Theo Bongonda registered the only goal of the game after 16 minutes, with Cedric Bakambu later seeing a header ruled out for offside.
Benin, like Tanzania, have still yet to win a single game at Afcon in five appearances but did push Nigeria and South Africa very close during World Cup qualification.
It’s currently half-time at the Tangier Grand Stadium, where DR Congo’s Group D rivals Senegal lead Botswana 1-0 thanks to a goal shortly before the break from Chelsea’s Bayern Munich loanee Nicolas Jackson.
After the conclusion of Nigeria vs Tanzania, Group C continues with Tunisia meeting Uganda at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 8pm GMT (9pm local time).
Tanzania winless at AFCON so far
15:55 , George FloodTanzania are also not adverse to a little managerial drama during the Africa Cup of Nations itself, having suspended and sacked Adel Amrouche after their first game in the Ivory Coast in 2024 - a 3-0 loss to Morocco with 10 men - after he was given an eight-match ban and fined $10,000 by CAF over comments made about the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
He has since taken charge of Rwanda.
Hemed Suleiman took over the Taifa Stars and led them to back-to-back draws against Zambia and DR Congo, but it wasn’t enough to stop them finishing bottom of the group.
Tanzania’s first Afcon appearance was in 1980 in Nigeria when they were also eliminated at the group stage, a fate that also befell them in 2019 in Egypt.
Tanzania plotting AFCON upset under new management
15:48 , George FloodTanzania recently finished third in CAF World Cup qualifying, behind 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Niger in Group E after winning three and losing four of their eight games.
As co-hosts, they did reach the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship over the summer, going unbeaten as they topped their group before losing 1-0 to eventual winners Morocco in the quarter-finals.
There has been drama in the build-up to this tournament, with previous head coach Hemed Suleiman sacked just a month ago.
He was replaced in the interim by Argentine Miguel Angel Gamondi, who has coached across African football including in Tanzania with the likes of Young Africans and Singida Black Stars.
Five uncapped players in Nigeria squad
15:39 , George FloodSo as mentioned, there is no Ola Aina or Benjamin Fredrick in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad due to injury.
The more surprising non-injury omissions from head coach Eric Chelle, on whom there is obvious pressure after a failure to reach the World Cup, included Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
There were five uncapped players named in the Super Eagles’ travelling party in total for Afcon, including Blackburn right-back Ryan Alebiosu.
Midfield trio Usman Mohammed, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi were the others, along with Croatia-based forward Salim Fago Lawal.
Nigeria vs Tanzania prediction
15:31 , George FloodWith the likes of title rivals Morocco, Egypt and South Africa having all delivered opening wins, and Senegal expected to do the same against Botswana in Tangier this afternoon, it is imperative that Nigeria get off to a strong start here.
The Super Eagles cannot afford any sort of hangover from their recent World Cup play-off heartbreak and need to deliver an early statement in Group C, where Tunisia will be no pushovers and Uganda have previous form for an Afcon upset.
Minnows Tanzania are under new management and have never won a game at this tournament in three previous appearances.
Nigeria to win, 2-0.
Tanzania team news
15:24 , George FloodTanzania’s squad is mostly drawn from players that compete at home for clubs in the Tanzanian Premier League.
Experienced captain Mbwana Samatta is a key player up front and represents Ligue 1 side Le Havre in club football.
Left-back Novatus Miroshi is another important performer who plays for Turkish side Goztepe.
Tanzania have two English-based players in midfielders Haji Mnoga and Tarryn Allarakhia, who play for Salford and Rochdale respectively.
Forward Simon Msuva is back after missing the last few internationals and is about to reach a century of caps.
Nigeria team news
15:16 , George FloodNigeria were missing plenty of key players for last week’s 2-1 friendly defeat by Egypt in Cairo, but should be at full strength this evening with star striker Victor Osimhen leading the line.
The Super Eagles’ long-time captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football just weeks before Afcon, so former Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi now takes the armband.
Nigeria are without the likes of Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina (hamstring) and Brentford’s Benjamin Fredrick (knee) in defence due to injury.
How to watch Nigeria vs Tanzania
15:11 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, Nigeria vs Tanzania is being shown live on 4seven. Coverage starts at 5:25pm GMT.
Live stream: You can also watch the game live online via the Channel 4 website, app and YouTube channel.
Nigeria vs Tanzania live
15:08 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria kick off their latest quest for a fourth Afcon title at the Fez Stadium this evening as they begin their Group C campaign against Tanzania.
Kick-off is at 5:30pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, breaking team news and live updates as the Super Eagles look to produce a commanding early win.
