AFCON: Nigeria must beat Tanzania to restore some national pride

AFCON update: Morocco win opener vs Comoros; S Africa 2-1 Angola; Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe (Salah); Day 3: Nigeria vs Tanzania.

Victor Osimhen vs Samanta... Who will come to the party between the two African strikers? (Photo Credit: CAF)

The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Morocco on Sunday with the host nation and tournament favourite Morocco beating Comoros in the opener.

The tournament enters day three on Tuesday, but the first two days have shown us exciting football, which is a great advertisement for the African continent as a whole. Now, we can't wait for the rest of the group phase fixtures.

South Africa left it late, but they eventually found a way to beat Angola 2-1. The Palancas Negras gave a good fight, only to succumb to a late strike from Burnley striker Lyle Foster. The result made it only the fourth time in history that South Africa has won their AFCON opener.

In the other fixture of Monday, the Pharaohs of Egypt beat Zimbabwe 2-1 with goals from Manchester City's Omar Marmoush and the Egyptian king himself, Mohammed Salah, who completed the comeback late on after Zimbabwe took the lead.

On Wednesday, it is the turn of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Nigerian side owes its teeming fans something; this is their opportunity, and they cannot afford to pass it up.

Nigeria will take on Tanzania on Tuesday in their AFCON opener. It is a game of huge importance to the Super Eagles as they hope to restore some pride after the embarrassment against DR Congo.

Tanzania is in a good place and is not a pushover. Nigeria must come to the party if they indeed want to win this game. While many already tilted towards Morocco as the tournament winner, Nigeria can rival the hosts in that regard.

Who are the players Nigeria will bank on? Victor Osimhen is no doubt the first name on coach Eric Chelle's list, and many Nigerians will pin their hopes on the Galatasaray striker to lead the Super Eagles to glory.

Midfield has always been a problem for the Super Eagles. Wilfred Ndidi is the new captain after William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement recently. Can Ndidi lead the team to glory?

Elsewhere on Tuesday, DR Congo will face the Squirrels of the Republic of Benin, while another tournament favourite, Senegal, will face Botswana. In Group C, where Nigeria is, Tunisia will face Uganda in the second game of the group.