Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has revealed that Nigeria’s coaching crew places strong emphasis on set-piece routines during training, following his standout performance in the team’s opening AFCON 2025 match.
Nigeria kicked off their campaign in Morocco with a 2–1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles dominated the first half, and their pressure paid off when Ajayi rose highest to score the opening goal and give Nigeria a deserved lead.
Tanzania, however, pulled level in the second half after a brief defensive lapse, but Ademola Lookman quickly restored Nigeria’s advantage with a well-taken strike to secure all three points.
Speaking after the match in an exclusive interview, Ajayi explained that his goal was no accident, highlighting the work done on set-pieces in training.
“I’m blessed in the sense that I’m quite good in the air,” Ajayi said.
“Whenever there’s a chance to attack the ball, I try to make the most of it. We definitely work on these situations in training.”
The defender also stressed the importance of shared responsibility when it comes to scoring goals at the tournament.
“We can’t rely only on the attackers,” he added. “If we want to go far, everyone has to contribute, and that’s what we showed today.”
Despite conceding once, Ajayi was instrumental in maintaining Nigeria’s defensive structure throughout the game.
His overall performance, combined with his opening goal, earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their next Group C fixture against Tunisia on Saturday, as they aim to strengthen their position at the top of the group.
