Sunday Oliseh Picks Akor Adams as Star Performer in Super Eagles’ AFCON Victory

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Former Nigeria national football team captain Sunday Oliseh has singled out Akor Adams as the most impressive performer in Nigeria’s victory against Tanzania national football team during their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria began their Group C journey with a 2–1 win in Fès, Morocco, overcoming determined resistance from their opponents to secure all three points.

Nigeria’s Goals Seal Narrow Victory

The breakthrough for Nigeria came in the first half when defender Semi Ajayi scored with a powerful header.

Tanzania later equalised early in the second half through Charles M’Mombwa, briefly putting the match back on level terms.

However, the Super Eagles quickly regained the advantage when Ademola Lookman produced a well-taken strike from outside the penalty area.

Ajayi Earns Official Man of the Match

Ajayi’s performance at the back proved vital throughout the game.

His defensive leadership and decisive opening goal earned him the official Man of the Match recognition.

The defender’s ability to organise the backline and contribute offensively highlighted his importance to Nigeria’s performance.

Iwobi’s Creative Influence

Midfielder Alex Iwobi played a key creative role in the match.

He provided the assists for both Nigerian goals, becoming the first Nigerian player since John Obi Mikel in 2010 to register two assists in a single AFCON game.

His distribution and vision helped unlock the Tanzanian defence at crucial moments.

Osimhen Remains a Threat

Nigeria’s attack was also spearheaded by striker Victor Osimhen, who consistently troubled the opposition defence.

At one point, Osimhen believed he had added his name to the scoresheet, but the effort was disallowed after a VAR review ruled him narrowly offside.

Despite the setback, his movement and pressing kept the Tanzanian backline under constant pressure.

Oliseh’s Surprise Choice

While several experienced players delivered strong performances, Oliseh reserved special praise for Akor Adams.

Speaking during commentary on AfroSports, the former Nigerian international emphasised the forward’s relentless energy and tactical awareness during the match.

In his view, Adams’ ability to move across attacking positions and create opportunities made him stand out among the players on the pitch.

Adams Impresses in AFCON Debut

The match marked Adams’ first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

During the game, he nearly scored with a powerful header that struck the crossbar and repeatedly stretched the Tanzanian defence with intelligent movement.

Operating primarily from the right side of the attack, he frequently drifted into different areas to create space for teammates.

His movement also contributed to the buildup that led to Osimhen’s disallowed goal.

Player Reflects on Team Performance

Despite the victory, Adams acknowledged that the team still has room to improve.

He emphasised that winning the opening match was important but warned that future opponents could present tougher challenges.

According to him, Nigeria must continue refining its performance as the tournament progresses.

Need for Better Finishing

Adams also pointed out that the Super Eagles created several chances that could have made the scoreline more comfortable.

Improving their finishing, he suggested, will be essential for maintaining success in upcoming matches.

Nigeria’s next Group C encounter will see them face the Tunisia national football team, a fixture expected to be one of the toughest in the group.

Commentary and Analysis

Nigeria’s opening victory provided a promising start to their AFCON campaign, but the performance also revealed areas that require improvement.

The contributions of players such as Ajayi, Lookman, and Iwobi demonstrated the team’s depth and attacking potential.

At the same time, Sunday Oliseh’s praise for Akor Adams highlights how emerging players can play crucial roles alongside established stars.

If Adams continues to deliver energetic performances and intelligent movement in attack, he could become an important tactical asset for Nigeria as the tournament progresses.

With tougher fixtures ahead, maintaining consistency and improving finishing may determine how far the Super Eagles advance in AFCON 2025.