By Kunle Solaja.

Morocco’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha OU Ali Tagma, has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles following their 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, currently taking place in Morocco.

In a message sent to Sports Village Square moments after the final whistle in Fez, the ambassador expressed his delight in simple but emphatic terms, saying: “Congratulations!!”

The ambassador has been closely following Nigeria’s AFCON campaign and shared several video clips in the build-up to the match, including the Super Eagles’ arrival in Fez last Thursday.

He also circulated footage from the colourful opening ceremony in Rabat, which featured a performance by Nigerian music icon Davido, as well as clips of Gburugburu Ndigbo Dum’s visit to the Nigerian team in their Fez camp.

Also reacting to Nigeria’s opening match, a Director of the Moroccan National Tourism Office, Hatim El Ghabi, praised the Super Eagles after watching both their recent World Cup qualifying play-off and the AFCON victory over Tanzania.

According to El Ghabi, Nigeria possess “a strong team with a powerful attack” and a clear ability to strike decisively on the counter-attack.

He noted that the Super Eagles’ approach points to an offensive strategy built around players capable of creating dangerous chances and punishing opponents, describing the team as “formidable and exciting to watch.”

Nigeria’s victory over Tanzania has given them a positive start in Group C, and attention now turns to their second group fixture against Tunisia, scheduled for Saturday in Fez, as the Super Eagles look to build momentum in their quest for continental glory on Moroccan soil.

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Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi was named Man of the Match after a commanding all-around performance that anchored the Super Eagles’ 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opening Group C fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ajayi not only provided the decisive defensive solidity Nigeria needed in a tense contest, but also opened the scoring with a towering header in the 36th minute, rising above the Tanzanian defence to convert a well-weighted cross from Alex Iwobi.

The goal set Nigeria on their way and underlined Ajayi’s growing importance at both ends of the pitch.

Throughout the match, the central defender produced a composed display, reading danger early, winning aerial duels and organising a back line that was repeatedly tested by a spirited Tanzanian side eager to upset the odds.

Even after Tanzania drew level early in the second half, Ajayi remained assured, helping Nigeria regain control as the game entered a nervy phase.

His performance was capped by a series of crucial clearances and interceptions late in the match, as Tanzania pushed for another equaliser following Ademola Lookman’s superb strike that restored Nigeria’s lead.

The Man of the Match award crowns an impressive outing for Ajayi, whose influence extended beyond his goal.

 It was his second strike for the Super Eagles, following his earlier goal in a 2023 World Cup qualifier, and another reminder of his value as a dependable presence in high-pressure games.

Nigeria’s narrow win places them provisionally at the top of Group C, and as the Super Eagles prepare for tougher tests against Tunisia and Uganda, Ajayi’s assured display will offer encouragement that the defensive spine of the team is finding its rhythm at the right time.

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania. However, the performance in Fez suggested there is still work to be done before they can truly assert their continental pedigree.

The struggle notwithstanding, Nigeria have stretched their winning streak over Tanzania to five.

Against a Tanzanian side yet to record a win in AFCON history, Nigeria were pushed to the limit and made to earn all three points in a contest that proved far more demanding than the records of both teams suggested.

The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Semi Ajayi rose highest to nod home a well-delivered cross from Alex Iwobi. It was Ajayi’s second goal for the Super Eagles, following his strike against Lesotho in a 2023 World Cup qualifier.

Nigeria thought they had doubled their advantage early in the second half when Victor Osimhen found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That moment proved costly, as the Super Eagles’ defence switched off minutes later, allowing Charles M’Mombwa to fire in a first-time finish in the 52nd minute to draw Tanzania level.

The equaliser jolted Nigeria into greater urgency, and their response arrived through Ademola Lookman, who restored the lead with a superb strike from just outside the penalty area.

Despite late pressure from Tanzania, Nigeria held on to secure the win, which temporarily places them at the top of Group C pending the outcome of the Tunisia versus Uganda encounter.

The Super Eagles will next face Tunisia on Saturday before rounding off their group campaign against Uganda on December 30. Tanzania, still in search of its first-ever AFCON victory, takes on Uganda on Saturday and concludes its group fixtures against Tunisia on December 30.

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