Victor Osimhen cut a visibly frustrated figure after being substituted late on during Nigeria’s tense 2-1 win over Tanzania in their Group C opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles were strong favourites going into Tuesday night’s contest, but they were pushed hard by a spirited Tanzanian side.
Naija News reports that Semi Ajayi broke the deadlock before Tanzania levelled through Charles M’Mombwa. Nigeria responded almost immediately, with Ademola Lookman firing home the decisive goal just two minutes later.
While the result put Nigeria on the front foot in the group, the evening proved an emotionally draining one for Victor Osimhen. The striker, Nigeria’s most valuable player and second all-time highest goalscorer, endured a catalogue of near misses against opponents ranked 74 places below them by FIFA.
The scoreline might have been more comfortable were it not for Osimhen’s agonising first half. The Galatasaray forward twice skipped past the goalkeeper, only to see one chance drift too wide to finish and another cleared off the line.
After the break, Osimhen thought he had finally found the net, but his effort was chalked off for offside by the narrowest margin.
Osimhen remained central to Nigeria’s attacking threat, producing some of the team’s sharpest link-up play. He chested down a clever assist for Lookman, whose powerful strike was tipped over the bar by the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
With Nigeria still struggling to put the game to bed, head coach Eric Chelle opted for a late change. Five minutes from time, Osimhen was withdrawn for Paul Onuachu, a decision that sparked an animated reaction from the striker.
Osimhen showed clear signs of frustration as he left the pitch, exchanging words with Chelle before taking his place on the bench.
Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi later played down fears of any fallout, stressing that Osimhen’s reaction was driven by his desire to help the team.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ndidi said he did not see the exchange himself but fully understood the emotions involved.
“I didn’t see that, but it is what it is. He is a big player; he wants to do the best for the team, maybe a bit frustrated,” the defensive midfielder said.
“It’s normal, we are human beings, maybe he feels like the game didn’t go his way because he was trying for the team, that’s the kind of player he is, we needed him.
“So, I think he is kind of putting too much pressure on himself. I am going to speak to him, he is a great guy, he wants to win, everyone wants to win.”
Nigeria will now turn their attention to their next Group C fixture which is against Tunisia. It is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
