It was a night of relief more than reassurance at the Complexe Sportif de Fès as the Super Eagles of Nigeria opened their AFCON 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Taifa Stars of Tanzania national football team.
For a side that arrived in Morocco burdened with expectation after finishing runners-up in Ivory Coast last year, this was meant to be a statement. Instead, it became a reminder that at the Africa Cup of Nations, control is never guaranteed and dominance must be earned.