By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Dec. 23, 2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought victory over Tanzania, a win that delivered immediate joy but also prompted a sobering call for improvement from within the camp.
Man-of-the-Match, Semi Ajayi, whose crucial goal secured the three points, captured the dual emotions of the evening. “Scoring for my country at a tournament like AFCON is always special,” the West Brom defender said. “It’s not just about the moment; it’s about what it represents. An early goal in the opener gives the entire squad belief, settles the nerves, and sets a positive tone that can resonate throughout the tournament.”
Ajayi’s header from a set-piece was a reward for what he described as a disciplined, collective effort. “We executed the game plan well in patches, especially in our attacking transitions,” he noted. “But in tournaments, the margins are razor-thin. We created chances but also saw areas—like our defensive shape in certain moments and the final pass in others—that we must tighten up. This is just the foundation.”
This sentiment of cautious optimism was echoed, with a stronger emphasis on critique, by midfield stalwart Wilfred Ndidi. The Leicester City enforcer acknowledged the importance of the win but issued a clear challenge to his teammates. “The first game is always tricky; you’re battling excitement, pressure, and the unknown,” Ndidi stated. “Getting the three points is the primary objective, and it builds confidence. However, we are our own biggest critics. We know the performance level must rise significantly.”
Ndidi revealed that the technical crew, led by head coach [Coach’s Name Could Be Inserted Here], has already pinpointed the need for elevated concentration and game management. “We’ve been challenged to be more solid and consistent for the full 90-plus minutes,” he explained. “Against tougher opposition, lapses we had today will be punished. Our focus now is on turning this good start into a dominant campaign. The work starts immediately in training.”
The victory holds historical significance for Nigerian football. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this match marked Nigeria’s 21st appearance at the AFCON finals, a testament to the nation’s enduring football pedigree. The goal also pushed the Super Eagles’ all-time tournament tally to 148 goals, edging them closer to the symbolic 150-mark—a milestone they will now aim to hit in the coming games.
The path forward is set, and it narrows quickly. The Super Eagles face a sterner test on Saturday, squaring off against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco. Tunisia, known for their tactical discipline and physicality, will provide the exact kind of “tougher challenge” Ajayi alluded to. How Nigeria responds to the internal demand for more, as voiced by Ndidi, will likely define their trajectory in Group [Group Letter/Number Could Be Inserted Here] and beyond.
The opening act was a success, but the message from the dressing room is clear: the performance must evolve with the tournament. The Eagles have landed, but now they must learn to soar.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
VO/JPE
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Edited by Joseph Edeh
