Two assists from Alex Iwobi helped Nigeria kick off their African Cup of Nations campaign with three points in Morocco.
The 2023 runners-up were strong favourites in Fes, against a Tanzania side that has never won a game at an AFCON tournament in nine attempts.
Double assist
A well-worked corner routine put the Super Eagles ahead just before halftime. Iwobi's inswinging cross was headed home by Hull City defender Semi Ajayi, although their opponents hit back minutes after the interval. Charles M'Mombwa sprang the offside trap, finishing first time following a high, hopeful ball into the box from Novatus Miroshi. It was Nigeria who had the final say, with Ademola Lookman's goal just two minutes later proving to be the winner.
Iwobi found Lookman in space on the edge of the box, the Atalanta striker turning sharply, before hitting a powerful shot that flew past Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Foba. The performance showed the quality of their attacking prowess, as they aim to go one better than 2023, after missing out on a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Terrific Tunisia
Tunisia, also in Nigeria's group, got off to a winning start in torrential rain in Rabat. The North Africans beat the 1978 runners-upUganda 3-1 in a fairly comfortable fashion.
The victory was their first at an AFCON tournament in four years, after failing to win a single game at the 2023 edition. They dispatched a helpless Uganda side early on, leading 2-0 by halftime.
Burnley midfielder Hannibal's lofted corner was met by an unmarked Ellyes Skhiri at the back post, the Frankfurt defender heading home. On a pitch carrying a few puddles from the rain, Tunisia grabbed a second, after Ali Abdi's cross was met by Elias Achouri's wonderful side-foot volley into the corner of the net.
Achouri added a third, his second, tapping in from close range before a late consolation from Uganda's Denis Omedi. Tunisia and Nigeria on Saturday evening.
Senegal start strong
Senegal, a side tipped by many to go all the way, laid down an early marker with an emphatic 3-0 win against Botswana. Compromising of many current and former Premiership players, Pape Thiaw's men took the lead after controlling the first half. Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, previously at Chelsea, fired home after Ismail Jakobs cut back inside the area.
They soon added a second, Idrissa Gueye winning the ball back inside Botswana's half to start an attack, culminating in Ismaila Sarr crossing the ball. Some fine feet from Jackson inside the box allowed him to wrong-foot the defence and slot the ball into the bottom corner.
A helpless Botswana side, the lowest-ranked in the tournament, conceded a third before the end. Cherif Ndiaye tapped home after good work from Cheikh Sabaly.
Benin denied by VAR
In the other group game, DR Congo picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Benin, in a game overshadowed by VAR controversy.
The two-time winners, who reached the semi-finals back in 2023, took the lead early on when Sunderland full-back Arthur Masuaku pumped a hopeful ball forward. Theo Bongonda reacted quickest to take advantage of some miscommunication in the Benin defence, to sneak in behind and score.
Benin had several chances to equalise, admittedly deserving something from the game. The talking point came in the second half, when DR Congo defender Chancel Mbemba appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area. The referee was advised to go and look pitchside with the possibility of giving a penalty - only to find that the VAR was not working. Unable to review the decision, he had little choice but to go with his original decision, much to the frustration of manager Gernot Rohr.
