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Chelle admits room for improvement after Nigeria win
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle says Nigeria must improve after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania in the 2025 AFCON opener
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has acknowledged that Nigeria still has work to do despite opening their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2–1 victory over Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday.
Also read: Super Eagles Coach Chelle Omits Key Strikers from AFCON
Forty-five years after beating the Taifa Stars 3–1 in the opening match of the 1980 AFCON in Lagos, Nigeria had to labour for another opening-day triumph.
Centre-back Semi Ajayi gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 36th minute, heading in Alex Iwobi’s corner for his second international goal.
Tanzania equalised shortly after the restart through Charles M’Mombwa, but Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s advantage almost immediately. Chelle’s side held firm in the closing stages to secure all three points.
Despite the win, Chelle was critical of his team’s second-half performance.
“We have to analyse this win because we did a lot of good things in the first half to create chances to score,” he said.
“We had many opportunities, but in the second half we gave Tanzania the chance to come back into the game. We made two mistakes. Of course we are happy with the three points, but at the AFCON the most important thing is to improve with every game.”
Nigeria will next face Tunisia on Saturday, with Chelle expecting a tougher challenge.
“Tunisia are a big team. We have to improve defensively, and we need more movement both when we have the ball and when we don’t. I congratulate my players for the win, but we still have a lot of work to do,” he added.
Also read: Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle focused on maintaining winning streak against Zimbabwe
The Super Eagles, runners-up at the last AFCON after a 2–1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, are targeting their fourth continental crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal, has received the ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award in Ghana, with organisers recognising what they described as his administration’s achievements in public sector leadership and economic reforms.
The governor was honoured at the 7th ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award ceremony, held on Friday at the British Council in Accra. The event featured a lecture themed: “Leadership, Peace, and Regional Integration: Advancing Africa’s Development in a Changing Global Order.”
According to the organisers, Lawal’s award was based, among other considerations, on his administration’s progress in public sector leadership and economic reforms in Zamfara State.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ZIK Pan-African Award, His Royal Highness Professor Echefuna R.G. Onyeabadi, noted that the award was established to recognise individuals making meaningful contributions to the service of their people.
Receiving the award, Governor Lawal dedicated the honour to the people of Zamfara State, stating that it would further motivate his administration to intensify efforts toward transforming the state.
“This award is dedicated to all the people of Zamfara State. My administration has been working tirelessly to ensure the state can compete with any other in Nigeria. That was our promise and we have surpassed expectations in just three years,” Lawal said.
The governor highlighted key projects and reforms undertaken by his administration, including urban renewal initiatives, the construction of a modern airport and sweeping reforms in security, education, healthcare and the civil service. He noted that the newly constructed airport was particularly significant, as Zamfara had not benefited from such infrastructure in over 30 years since the creation of the state.
“We have made great strides in security, civil service reform, education, health and other sectors,” the governor added.
Lawal thanked the organisers for the recognition, saying the award would encourage him to do even more for the people of Zamfara.
“It means a lot to me and will motivate me to do even more for my people. Zamfara is on the rise,” he said.
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