Chidera Ejuke has insisted that victory is what matters following Nigeria's labored 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener on Tuesday evening.

Nigeria headed into the interval with a one-goal lead, thanks to Semi Ajayi, who rose highest to head home a delivery from Alex Iwobi.

Charles M'Mombwa levelled matters in the 50th minute following a defensive lapse, only for Ademola Lookman to score what proved to be the game-winning goal two minutes later.

Ejuke was among the twelve players named in Nigeria's matchday squad who remained rooted to the bench for the entirety of the game, as manager Eric Chelle opted for Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon ahead of the Sevilla dazzler.

Asked how he felt after the win over Tanzania, Ejuke told Richard Nwajei in the mixed zone: "Good. It is important that we got the victory so we are happy."

Ejuke has played down criticism of Nigeria's performance, with some fans and pundits suggesting that they were not at their best, particularly in the second half against their East African opponents.

"The most important thing is to win and we conceded one. Obviously the coach is going to tell us what to do and how to get better with that, but it’s just important that we win.”

Attention now turns to the Super Eagles' second Group C match against Tunisia,  and Ejuke has stressed that the players' mindset remains strong.

"We have good morale in the team already, so we are just going to take it one game at a time."

Ejuke made his Africa Cup of Nations debut in January 2022, coming off the bench for the last eighteen minutes of a 1-0 win over Egypt.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel