AFCON 2025 Roundup: Lookman Inspires Nigeria As Jackson Powers Senegal Past Botswana

‎The opening rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco delivered drama, quality finishing, and weather-soaked battles across the host cities.

‎From Ademola Lookman’s thunderbolt in Fes to Nicolas Jackson’s brace in Tangier, several tournament favourites asserted themselves early as the group stages kicked off in style.

‎Lookman’s Wonder Strike Helps Nigeria Edge Tanzania

‎Nigeria began their AFCON 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a rain-drenched Group C encounter in Fes.

‎The Super Eagles, silver medallists from the previous edition, showed their attacking intent from the outset but also revealed defensive vulnerabilities that nearly cost them.

‎The West Africans dominated possession and camped in Tanzania’s half for long spells.

‎Victor Osimhen came agonisingly close to giving Nigeria an early lead after rounding goalkeeper Zuberi Foba, only to see his goalbound effort heroically cleared off the line.

‎Their breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute when Alex Iwobi delivered a teasing cross toward the edge of the six-yard area. Defender Semi Ajayi met it perfectly, guiding a precise header into the far corner to put Nigeria ahead.

‎Tanzania responded brightly after the restart and were rewarded five minutes into the second half.

‎Charles M’Mombwa timed his run superbly to beat the offside trap and met Novatus Miroshi’s high, hanging cross with a composed volley.

‎But their celebrations were short-lived.

‎Just two minutes later, Ademola Lookman produced a moment of individual brilliance twisting inside his defender before unleashing a powerful 25-yard strike that arrowed into the far corner. It proved to be the match-winner.

‎Nigeria still endured a nervy finish. Kelvin John stretched desperately but could not connect with a ball rolling towards an empty net, and Ibrahim Hamad fired wildly over from close range in stoppage time.

‎Despite the tense ending, Nigeria walked away with a valuable opening victory.

‎Jackson Brace Powers Senegal Past Botswana

‎In Tangier, 2021 champions Senegal delivered a commanding performance to defeat Botswana 3-0 in their Group D opener.

‎The Lions of Teranga were patient throughout a first half in which Botswana defended resolutely. Their breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Nicolas Jackson steered in a low cross from Ismail Jakobs.

‎The Chelsea forward doubled his tally shortly before the hour mark, showing brilliant footwork to finish off a well-weighted pass from Ismaïla Sarr.

‎Senegal continued to overwhelm Botswana with wave after wave of attacks, registering an astonishing 28 efforts on goal.

‎Their dominance was capped late in the match when Cherif Ndiaye added a third, sealing a comfortable win.

‎The result puts Senegal top of Group D on goal difference ahead of DR Congo, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament’s top contenders.

‎DR Congo Grinds Out Narrow Win Over Benin

‎DR Congo claimed a 1-0 victory over Benin, but the scoreline didn’t reflect their superiority.

‎Théo Bongonda opened the scoring in the 16th minute, reacting fastest to a long ball from defence that was allowed to bounce in the Beninese box. His sharp volley gave Congo a deserved lead.

‎He could have doubled it 13 minutes later, but Olivier Verdon produced a crucial block to deny his side-footed attempt.

‎Early in the second half, Cédric Bakambu thought he had made it 2-0 with a simple header from Nathanaël Mbuku’s perfect cross, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside after a lengthy review.

‎Despite the missed chances and the disallowed goal, the two-time continental champions held firm, starting their AFCON journey with a solid three points.

‎Tunisia Cruises Past Uganda to Join Early Winners

‎In Rabat, Tunisia became the latest former champion to start the tournament with a win, easing to a 3-1 victory over Uganda in Group E.

‎Ellyes Skhiri set the tone early, heading home from a corner in the 10th minute amid driving rain. Elias Achouri doubled the lead five minutes before halftime and grabbed his second just after the hour mark with a simple back-post tap-in.

‎Uganda’s Denis Omedi scored a stoppage-time consolation, but Tunisia’s dominance had long sealed the result.