AFCON 2025: ‘I am quite good in the air’ - Man-of-the-Match winner Semi Ajayi reveals set-piece training tactics

Nigeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco, with a 2-1 win over Tanzania on Tuesday evening.

Eric Chelle’s team started by dominating and creating chances in the first half before Semi Ajayi got the first goal to kick-start Group C.

However, in the second half, Tanzania equalised from a lapse in concentration in defence, but the lead was restored shortly after by a beautiful strike from Ademola Lookman.

After the game, Semi Ajayi was asked by a Pulse Sports reporter in an exclusive interview how he would rate his prowess from set-pieces, having scored a few goals for Nigeria. Is that what you work on in training?

He replied, “Definitely, I am blessed with the fact that I like to think that I am quite good in the air. If there is an opportunity to attack the ball, I am going to make the most of it. 

“I think it is important to get goals from across the team in this tournament, not just the attackers; everybody needs to help chip in goals if we want to do well and we saw that today.”

The defender played a key role in the team's solid defensive shape, despite conceding a goal in the second half.

His performance and his opening goal of the match earned him the Man-of-the-Match award after the game.

The Super Eagles will now prepare for their next game against Tunisia on Saturday as they look to go top of the group.