The last African Cup of Nations runners-up Nigeria will begin their CAF AFCON tournament campaign with a meeting against Tanzania tomorrow, Tuesday at Fez Stadium.
Not forgetting so fast, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who were defeated 2–1 by hosts Ivory Coast nation in the final of the previous tournament, are determined to go one step further this time as they look to make amends for the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Match preview
In a quick revised of CAF regulation for ranking the best runners-up in the World Cup qualifiers, a late surge to secure second place in Group C and an emphatic extra-time victory over Gabon in the playoff semi-final all briefly kept Nigeria’s hopes alive, though the dream of reaching the mundial ultimately slipped away as they suffered a penalty defeat to DR Congo in the final.
For super Eagles, redemption therefore feels essential, after the setback with a 2–1 friendly defeat to Egypt last Tuesday, bringing an end to a largely positive run of seven outings that included five victories if their extra-time success over Gabon is taken into account.
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At the moment, it would be difficult to justify anything other than a winning start for the side ranked 38th on the FIFA World Rankings when facing opponents positioned 74 places lower on the current ladder, even without the strongest momentum behind them.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast in that showpiece means they continue their wait for a first continental title since 2013, and with Europe-based figures such as former CAF Players of the Year Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, alongside Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, anything short of a positive opening for Eric Chelle’s side would fall below expectations.
Tanzania, on the other hand, arrives at the tournament with far less pressure attached, with greater focus likely to be placed on the 2027 tournament, which they will co-host alongside Uganda and Kenya.
With much focus at hand, the Taifa Stars of Tanzania will still aim to surpass previous efforts, having exited at the group stage in each of their four earlier appearances, including the last edition, where they finished bottom of their pool with only two points.
As Miguel Gamondi’s men are without a victory in seven matches across all competitions (D2, L5), with the most recent four ending in defeat; those setbacks included final-round World Cup qualifiers, where they ultimately placed third.
Nigeria form (all competitions):
DWWWLL
Tanzania form (all competitions):
LDLLLL
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Sanusi, Bassey, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Suleiman; Kaponbe, Mwamnyeto, D. Job, M. Husseini; N Miroshi, F Salum; Msuva, M’Mombwa, Allarakhia; Samatta
Prefictions
Nigeria 2-0 Tanzania
The blunt Tanzanian attack appears unlikely to pose sustained Super Eagles’ attackers problems, despite Nigeria’s defensive vulnerability which has been a recurring concern for the team, having allowed goals in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
So in that, judging with superior quality in the final third, the Super Eagles should have enough to secure a comfortable opening victory.
