Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Tanzania in their AFCON 2025 opener wasn’t just about the goals, it also came down to how the key players showed up all over the pitch. Footynaija.com reports.
Beyond the scoreline, the stats from the game paint a clear picture of who made things tick for the Super Eagles.
From how Eric Chelle’s side moved the ball to who stepped up in attack and duels, here are the Nigerian players who stood out by the numbers.
Victor Osimhen set the attacking tone
Osimhen may not have scored, but he was at the heart of Nigeria’s attack. The Galatasaray striker had a game-high seven shots, showing just how involved he was up front. He also led the team in expected goals with 0.57 xG, reflecting the quality of chances that came his way.
The 26-year-old was a constant threat inside the box, with 12 touches in Tanzania’s penalty area. This was more than any other player on the pitch. His movement kept the defence pinned back and opened up space for players like Lookman and Iwobi to exploit around him.
Lookman and Chukwueze
Ademola Lookman had four shots, the second most for Nigeria, and capped it off with the match-winner. His numbers show a forward who mixed goal threat with movement, drifting into pockets rather than staying fixed on the flank.
Samuel Chukwueze was Nigeria’s most direct threat on the night. He completed six successful dribbles, the most in the match, and won 13 duels. That combination of ball carrying and physical engagement made him difficult to contain and explains why Tanzania often doubled up on his side.
Chukwueze also had the third-highest number of touches in the opposition box among Nigerian players, showing he wasn’t just active out wide but consistently got into dangerous central areas too.
Iwobi and Ndidi controlled the tempo
In midfield, Alex Iwobi set the tone for Nigeria’s play. He had 87 touches, the most by any player, showing how much the game flowed through him. With two assists and 71 accurate passes at over 90 percent success, the Fulham midfielder was at the heart of everything going forward.
Wilfred Ndidi matched that control with precision. As captain, he completed 61 accurate passes at an impressive 95 percent success rate. This is the best accuracy among Nigeria’s midfielders. His smart positioning helped the Super Eagles keep possession and cut down on Tanzania’s chances to counterattack.
Bassey anchored the build up from defence
At the back, Calvin Bassey’s numbers stood out. He matched Iwobi with 71 accurate passes, completing them at 93 percent, while also recording 85 touches, second only to Iwobi. That reflects Nigeria’s reliance on him to initiate play from defence and progress the ball into midfield.
Bassey’s composure under pressure helped Nigeria maintain territorial control, especially during spells when Tanzania tried to press higher.
Impact from the bench
Fisayo Dele Bashiru made his presence felt after coming on, ranking second for touches in the opposition box with six. That figure highlights his late runs and willingness to support attacks, offering Nigeria something different in the final third.
Moses Simon also contributed positively, completing two successful dribbles at a high success rate, adding energy and width as Tanzania chased the game.
