Nigeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in Group C, played in pouring rain in Fes. Ademola Lookman scored a superb second-half winner to give the silver medallists from the previous tournament a positive start, though they were made to work for the points.
Nigeria dominated possession and created several chances, with Victor Osimhen rounding the goalkeeper only to see his effort cleared off the line. Semi Ajayi headed Nigeria into the lead on 36 minutes from Alex Iwobi's cross. Tanzania equalised five minutes into the second half through Charles M'Mombwa's volley, but Lookman restored Nigeria's lead two minutes later with a curling shot from 25 yards. Tanzania almost snatched a draw late on, with Kelvin John inches away from touching the ball into an empty net and Ibrahim Hamad firing wildly over from close range.
In Tangier, Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Senegal, winners in 2021 and among the favourites, beat Botswana 3-0 in Group D. Jackson converted Ismail Jakobs's low cross to open the scoring after 40 minutes, then finished from close range after Ismaïla Sarr's pass just before the hour mark. Cherif Ndiaye added a third late on as Senegal fired 28 efforts at the Botswana goal, and they top the group on goal difference from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
DR Congo claimed a 1-0 win over Benin in Group D, Théo Bongonda volleying in after 16 minutes when the Benin defence hesitated. Cédric Bakambu thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half, but his header was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Tunisia, victors in 2004, swept past Uganda 3-1 in Rabat. Ellyes Skhiri headed in from a corner after 10 minutes, Elias Achouri added a second five minutes before the break and tapped in a third after the hour mark. Denis Omedi scored a stoppage-time consolation for Uganda.
