After a less-than-stellar opening victory over Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has urged calm and calm. He claims that the most crucial goal, which is three crucial points, has been achieved.
Ndidi characterized the first game of a major tournament as a test of rhythm, fitness, and mentality, as well as the well-known difficulties that accompany it.
After the Super Eagles beat the Taifa Stars on Tuesday, the midfielder said, “It was a good game.”
The tournament’s opening game always goes this way, with momentum and all, but it was really, really good. Which three points are the most crucial to us?
In the 2-1 victory, Nigeria set the tone and displayed signs of the attacking intent they had hoped for.
The Six Key Takeaways From The Nigeria vs. Tanzania Game can be found HERE.
Tanzania’s No. 10 Ally Samatta and Nigeria’s No. 06 Semi Ajayi square off against each other in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game that takes place on December 23, 2025 at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
The Super Eagles were under pressure and struggling to maintain their previous dominance in the second half, which turned out to be more demanding. However, the three-time African champions were assured of taking all three points at stake by their performance on the night.
Ndidi was open about the game’s outcome, apologizing for the team’s performance after the break but offering his condolences.
“The pace was good, and the first half was good. Maybe we were a little worn out in the second half or something. Although it didn’t go as planned, we did a very, very well react. The Besiktas midfielder praised the team, saying, “I’m proud of them.
Questions have been raised about the team’s defensive resilience as a result of Nigeria’s record of 13 straight games without a clean sheet. However, the former Leicester City player has shied away from panic.
Ndidi firmly stated, “I’m not worried at all.” The three points are ours. That is crucial.
When asked whether the current team could match or even surpass Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON record, Ndidi expressed optimism.
With the decisive penalty shoot-out save, Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix’ miserable evening came to an end thanks to Kepa Arrizabalaga, the team’s champion in the League Cup quarter-finals.
With 10 minutes left, Lacroix’s own goal gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium before Palace’s stoppage-time equalizer was snatched by Marc Guehi in a 1-1 draw.
The shootout saw both teams score their first seven penalties in the process.
Arsenal won 8-7 after Kepa dived to save Lacroix’s effort after William Saliba converted the team’s eighth kick.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who infamously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City in 2019, had a cathartic moment.
In the Blues’ 2022 League Cup final shootout defeat to Liverpool, Kepa also missed a spot kick.
Chelsea and Manchester City will play the Gunners in the semi-finals over two legs in January and February, while Newcastle will face holders Chelsea in the other last four game.
We should have scored many more goals, they said. It can always happen that you concede when you don’t play the games, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“We had some outstanding individual performances. Kapa’s level of commitment to the group is incredible.
I believe that Kepa managed to save one penalty because the players were so composed during the penalties. We are at our desired destination.
Arsenal, who are chasing their first trophy since the FA Cup’s 2020 triumph, are reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the second time in a row.
Before any of their current squad members were born, the north Londoners have only won the League Cup once, with their most recent triumph occurring in 1992-1993.
Arteta’s men will turn their focus back to the title race with home games against Brighton and third-placed Aston Villa to wrap up 2025 after celebrating Christmas on Thursday.
Arsenal’s main objective for the season is obviously to win their first English title since 2004. However, winning the League Cup in March would give the team a significant boost.
The team that defeated Everton on Saturday made eight changes, but it still had a strong lineup that included Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba.
Jesus, who injured his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament in January, made his first start in 345 days of action following his earlier this month substitution against Club Brugge.
READ ALSO: Arsenal defeats Everton to stay top despite winning at Man City.
Kepa redemption
Noni Madueke, an English defender, jumps into the arms of Arsenal’s English goalkeeper No. 13 Kepa Arrizabalaga to congratulate him on saving a penalty in the English League Cup quarter-final football game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace on December 23, 2025 at the Emirates Stadium in London. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
Arsenal should have taken a lead early on thanks to Noni Madueke, another of Arteta’s changes, but Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez twice turned him down.
With another excellent save, Benitez plunged to his left to prevent Jesus’ close-range header, and Madueke was able to repel him.
Arteta must have been perplexed as to whether Arsenal would ever achieve the breakthrough by the time Jurrien Timber headed wastefully over from 10 yards.
In the second half, Arteta sent on Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, who both immediately made an immediate impact with a cross that Jesus nipily wide.
In the 80th minute, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock.
As Saka’s corner created chaos and Lacroix, under the pressure of Saliba, poked past Benitez as he attempted to clear, a Gunners set-piece did the damage, not for the first time this season.
During the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 23, 2025, Crystal Palace’s argentine goalkeeper #44 Walter Benitez concedes an own goal to French defender #05 Maxence Lacroix. Adrian DENNIS/AFP (Photo)
Arsenal, however, scored with their first shot on target in the 95th minute, giving them a taste of their own set-piece medicine.
Jefferson Lerma headed Guehi’s free kick home from close range after Adam Wharton’s free kick was headed down.
Kepa came out on top as Arsenal’s savior in the shootout, despite numerous nerveless penalties.
Nigeria may not have put the game beyond doubt on the scoreboard, but their 2-1 win over Tanzania sent a powerful message to the continent.
The Super Eagles’ first Group F game of AFCON 2025 featured a lineup that dominated the proceedings and displayed flashes of the kind that make them legitimate title contenders.
Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scored the goals that merited a deserving victory over them.
The AFCON Quest starts in 2025 with Nigeria’s Super Eagles flying past Tanzania.
Lessons from the AFCON Clash between Tanzania and Nigeria
Here are six lessons learned from the Group C clash.
Nigeria Show Dominance  
In the AFCON of 2023, Nigeria came in second place. X@CAF_Online in photo
After failing to make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles were under pressure at the start of the competition. However, they played as a unit that was determined to respond when faced with Tanzania.
The entire story was not adequately captured by the scoreline. Nigeria spent a lot of time camped out in the opposition half, controlled possession, and set the pace. Their overall dominance made them more likely to be a favorite to win the AFCON title in addition to Group F.
Midfield Control Was Foundation,  
On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s forward No. 17 Alex Iwobi and No. 8 Charles M’Mombwa of Tanzania clash at the Fez Stadium in Fes in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
Midfield helped Nigeria regain its dominance of the game. Alex Iwobi assisted in linking midfield and attack play, while Captain Wilfred Ndidi provided balance and leadership.
The Taifa Stars struggled to settle for or launch effective counter-attacks because of the Super Eagles’ consistent winning of second balls and quick recycling of possession.
The Dynamic was altered by Chukwueze’s energy,  .
Eric Chelle’s choice to omit Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and give Samuel Chukwueze a start was crucial to that.
The loanee from AC Milan defended the request with a creative and energetic display. Chukwueze was involved in the majority of Nigeria’s dangerous moments and injected pace into midfield.
Tanzania struggled to move, and Zuberi Masudi’s excellent save gave him the lead.
Osimhen Fails To Find The Target
On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen poses for a photo at the Fez Stadium in Fes during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game between Tanzania and Nigeria. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
Despite having a dominant lead, Nigeria struggled to convert a number of chances, especially in the first half, when they could have scored three goals up.
Victor Osimhen, a striker for Galatasaray, was guilty of some poor finishing in the match despite the Tanzanian defense’s efforts to marshal him at times.
His inability to find the back of the net kept Tanzania in the game longer than expected, which the Super Eagles must improve if they want to win the tournament.
Still A Concern Regarding Defensive Frailties
Tanzania’s No. 10 Ally Samatta and Nigeria’s No. 06 Semi Ajayi square off against each other in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game that takes place on December 23, 2025 at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)After scoring a goal in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Nigeria and Tanzania at Fez Stadium in Fes on December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s forward #07 Ademola Lookman receives a congratulations from Nigeria’s forward #22 Akor Adams. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
What initially appeared to be a comfortable game for the Super Eagles turned tense in the second half after Tanzania found an equaliser despite Osimhen’s difficulties in scoring. Reported defensive issues resurfaced for a team that has a worrying habit of conceding avoidable—often late—goals.
Nigeria’s back line struggled to recover after a costly turnover by Zaidu Sanusi in a dangerous area. A clever piece of play by the Taifa Stars allowed Tanzania to break through the defense and defeat Stanley Nwabali in goal, which was unfortunate for the central defensive pairing of Calvin Bassey and Samuel Ajayi.
The incident served as a reminder that, despite Nigeria’s unquestionable potential ahead, defensive concentration will continue to be a problem as the tournament progresses.
Tanzania’s goalkeeper kept it respectable.
Tanzania can credit Zuberi Masudi with preventing a more severe defeat, despite Nigeria’s impressive performance. His crucial interventions, particularly those that denied Chukwueze, prevented the scoreline from fully reflecting the play’s balance. It served as a reminder that a strong opposition will need to be effective in front of the goal.
Tunisia’s focus shifts to Nigeria during AFCON:
On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
The Super Eagles kicked off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against a tenacious Tanzania 2-1.  ,
The Super Eagles will have all three points in play on Tuesday thanks to Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scoring one goal each.
WIN, ONTO THEN! #Naija4TheWin image is #NGATAN. https://twitter.com/SeksWuoE0e
On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s defenseman #06 Semi Ajayi (R) celebrates his goal in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game between Tanzania and Nigeria at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
In the 37th minute, the West Brom defender rose to the top and fired home a cross from Alex Iwobi to give the Super Eagles a lead in Group C.
52 minutes into the match, Lookman scored the second goal for Nigeria to give the Super Eagles all three points.
In the opening exchanges in Fes, Morocco, Nigeria deservedly dominated play after suffering a heartbreaking 2026 World Cup qualification failure.
Akor Adam’s strike in Sevilla’s 2025 AFCON was likely to be Nigeria’s opening game of the tournament.
Victor Osimhen almost doubled the Super Eagles’ lead just a few seconds later, but his shot was saved off the line. Nigeria led the Taifa Stars 1-0 heading into the tunnel with 45 minutes left.
The Napoli forward believed he had scored after the break when he found the net twenty minutes later. However, offside caused his 52nd-minute effort to be rejected.
After a cool finish by William M’Mombwa, the East Africans capitalized on Nigeria’s defense sloppiness to level the playing field in the 50th minute.
The three-time champions, however, only had two minutes to take the lead. Lookman, who played for Atalanta in the Italian League of Nations, picked the ball from the middle of the pack, launching a shot past Zuberi Masudi, the goalkeeper, from where it was nestled.
In Nigeria’s Group C clash with Tanzania, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has selected strikers Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, and midfielder Alex Iwobi.  ,
Nwabali struggled with injuries and was in doubt before the tournament, but he has recovered well in time for the game. The team’s attack will be led by Omen, Nigeria’s topman.
Nwabali struggled with injuries and was in doubt before the tournament, but he has recovered well in time for the game.
How do we face the Taifa Stars in this photo! #NGATAN #Naija4TheWin #AFCON2025 pic. twitter.com/CUQLi35EdQ
Akor Adams will assist the Galatasaray man in their attack, while Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze will assist them on both flanks.
Calvin Bassey and Calvin Bassey will play defense. In fullback, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi play, respectively, left and right, respectively.
Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi will be playing midfield at Fulham. The game will begin by 6: 30 pm (Nigeria/WAT) on Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.
