Nigeria start Cup of Nations campaigns with wins

Nigeria have come to Morocco aiming to make amends for their failure to qualify for the World Cup and the 2024 AFCON runners-up got off to a winning start in Fes despite being wasteful in front of goal.

Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits -- he failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing.

Akor Adams hit the crossbar before centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring for the three-time African champions late in the first half as he nodded in Alex Iwobi's cross.

Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time for outsiders Tanzania but they could not build on that to go and claim a first ever win at an AFCON.

Instead Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman, the 2024 African player of the year, hit back to spare Nigeria's blushes as his rising shot from just outside the box made it 2-1.

Nigeria's next Group C outing will be on Saturday against Tunisia, who top the section after easing to a 3-1 win against Uganda at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.