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Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaigns have often been defined not by how they start, but by what they reveal, Footynaija.com reports.
Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Tanzania in Fez was not a flawless performance, but it was an instructive one, offering clear lessons about where this Super Eagles team is strong, where it remains vulnerable, and who is quietly shaping its identity under Eric Chelle.
Here are five key takeaways from Nigeria’s opening AFCON 2025 win.
1. Alex Iwobi finally looked like Nigeria’s midfield conductor
This was arguably Alex Iwobi’s most complete performance in an AFCON shirt. Operating between midfield and attack, he dictated tempo, linked play intelligently and delivered the decisive moments, two assists that turned control into points.
Iwobi’s movement constantly dragged Tanzanian midfielders out of shape, creating pockets for Lookman and Chukwueze to exploit. His delivery for Ajayi’s opener showed awareness and speed of thought, while his pass for Lookman’s winner was weighted with the calm of a player seeing the game clearly.
In a team often accused of lacking midfield craft at tournaments, Iwobi offered balance, invention and maturity.
2. Victor Osimhen was dangerous but wasteful
Osimhen’s presence alone unsettled Tanzania, yet this was not a night of clinical finishing. He rounded the goalkeeper without shooting, saw another effort cleared off the line, and had a fine flicked finish ruled out by VAR.
The concern is not effort or movement, both were exemplary, but efficiency. Against sharper opponents, Nigeria may not be afforded so many second chances. Osimhen remains central to Nigeria’s attacking threat, but his finishing rhythm must sharpen quickly.
3. Moses Simon’s cameo showed how vital he remains
When Moses Simon replaced Chukwueze, Nigeria’s attack instantly gained verticality. His direct running stretched Tanzania’s defensive line and relieved pressure during a tense final phase.
Simon did not score or assist, but his impact was tactical. He forced Tanzania deeper, allowing Nigeria to control territory and tempo. In tight tournament football, that kind of contribution often proves decisive.
4. Ademola Lookman delivered when Nigeria needed calm
Lookman entered the tournament with questions hanging over him after a relatively quiet spell, but he answered them decisively. His goal; composed, intelligent and precise, was the mark of a forward comfortable in high-pressure moments.
This was Lookman’s fourth AFCON goal, underlining his growing reputation as a tournament player. When Tanzania equalised and momentum threatened to swing, Lookman restored order within two minutes. That capacity to settle chaos is invaluable.
5. Stanley Nwabali’s decision-making remains a concern
Nigeria’s goalkeeping situation deserves scrutiny. For Tanzania’s equaliser, Stanley Nwabali hesitated, appealing for offside instead of committing to the ball. At AFCON level, that moment of indecision is costly.
Nwabali has strengths; command, shot-stopping, presence, but his growing tendency to gamble rather than react could prove damaging later in the tournament. Chelle may need to address this quickly.
