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Achaji Gero’s brace in the first half handed the Ngorongoro Heroes the defeat in the game they controlled for long spells.
The Heroes now face a tall order to overturn the score when the two sides meet in Lagos two weeks later.
The home side missed the services of its key players in Thomas Ulimwengu, who was not released by his club TP Mazembe, as well as defenders Ramadan Hassan Khamis and Manula Aishi Salum who are still nursing injuries.
However, the Jacob Michelsen’s boys kicked off the match brightly and should have taken a first minute lead when Simon Msuva with the Nigeria goalkeeper Samuel Okani at his mercy shot way over the crossbar.
Omega Seme had his chance a minute later, but lack of precision in front of the Flying Eagles goal saw his powerful effort go off target.
After surviving a scare, Nigeria responded in the third minute and Gero made no mistake with his first attempt. The speedy attacked beat goalie Barwan Khomein to give his team the lead.
The Heroes did not seem perturbed by the goal as they continued to press for an equaliser and Msuva’s profligacy cost his side when he fluffed a clear-cut chance in the fifth minute.
Issa Rashid, Msuva and Ramadhani Singano troubled the Nigeria defence regularly in the first half, but their efforts were to no avail.
The Nigerians doubled the advantage in the 44th minute when marauding Gero finished Chidi Osuchukwu’s goal-bound cross.
Michelsen opted to bench Kheri Salim for Jerome Lembele at the start of the second half and changes increased the tempo of the game.
The Heroes, who advanced to this stage after ousting Sudan 4-3 in April, scored their consolation goal in the 49th minute through Atupele Green who made full use of Singano’s pass to plant the ball home.
Tanzania pressed relentlessly for the equaliser, but the Nigerians stood firm to thwart all dangerous moves.
Speaking after the match, Michelsen said his boys played well, but paid the price for lacking composure in front of the goal.
“They played well and deserved a win, but my players wasted so many chances. We still have time and hopefully we can correct today’s weaknesses,” he said.
Nigeria coach John Sam Obuh lauded his players for taking their chances and bragged that it would take a miracle for Tanzania to record a win in Lagos.
