Nigeria Ready to Launch AFCON 2025 Campaign Against Tanzania on Tuesday
The clash will be staged in Fes, Morocco, with kick-off set for 6:30 pm Nigerian time. The fixture forms part of the Africa Cup of Nations, and marks only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania.
Their lone previous encounter at the tournament came during the 1980 finals, when hosts Nigeria opened their campaign with a 3–1 victory over Tanzania in Lagos on March 8, 1980, a run that ended with the Super Eagles lifting the continental title.
Nigeria and Tanzania have crossed paths seven times across all competitions, with the Super Eagles yet to taste defeat—recording four victories and three draws.
Their latest meetings came during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, when both teams settled for a 0–0 draw in Dar es Salaam before Nigeria edged a 1–0 win in Uyo.
Tanzania head coach, Miguel Gamondi, has laid out his game plan for his side’s opening clash against Nigeria, insisting his team will not sit back.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Gamondi said the Taifa Stars will approach the encounter with a bold mindset—aiming to play their football, dominate possession and take the game to the three-time AFCON champions.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has made it clear that Nigeria are focused on getting off to a strong start at the 2025 AFCON, as the team looks to bounce back from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Emphasising the need for a strong start, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has urged his teammates to fight for every ball when they face Tanzania.
The Napoli forward also challenged the squad to seek redemption by aiming for victory in every match in Morocco, while apologising to Nigerians for the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Within the camp, head coach Éric Chelle has equally underlined the importance of beginning the competition with a win against the Taifa Stars, describing it as key to Nigeria’s campaign.
Victor Osimhen says the AFCON presents a chance for the Super Eagles to make amends for missing out on the World Cup, stressing that winning the tournament would help ease the disappointment felt by Nigerian fans.
Nigeria heads into the competition seeking redemption after finishing second at the last AFCON and failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Ahead of their clash with Tanzania, former TTC Football Academy coach Emmanuel Brown backed the Super Eagles to start with a win but warned against complacency.
He noted that African football has evolved, with smaller teams now capable of springing surprises, citing Comoros’ strong showing against Morocco as an example.
Brown believes the match will not be easy but feels Nigeria’s experience and motivation will see them prevail, describing the Super Eagles as a “wounded lion” determined to redeem themselves. Tanzania, meanwhile, will be hoping to secure their first-ever AFCON victory against Nigeria.