AFCON 2025: Nigeria Super Eagles Ready to Face Tanzania in Group B Opener
The Nigeria Super Eagles will face Tanzania in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B match on Tuesday. The match will take place at Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco.
This marks Nigeria’s 21st appearance at AFCON, with the Super Eagles aiming to win the tournament for the fourth time after finishing second in the previous edition in Ivory Coast. For Tanzania, this is their fourth AFCON appearance, and they have lost all their opening matches so far. In contrast, Nigeria has never lost an opening match in their last three AFCON tournaments.
Head-to-Head Record
Nigeria and Tanzania have faced each other seven times in all competitions. The Super Eagles remain unbeaten, with four wins and three draws.
They last met in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, playing a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam, Ethiopia. The two teams are meeting in AFCON for only the second time in 45 years, the first being during the 1980 finals hosted by Nigeria. In that opening game, Nigeria beat Tanzania 3–1 in Lagos and went on to win their first continental title.
What the Coaches Say
Nigeria Head Coach Eric Chelle emphasized the importance of the opening match. “The first game is always important. We want to win this game, and I am fully focused on it with my players and officials,” he said.
Tanzania Head Coach Miguel Gamondi said past results will not determine the future. “It is our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing and dreaming. If you don’t dream, there is no reason to sleep too much,” he said. Gamondi added that he respects Nigeria but believes anything can happen in football. “We are here to give a good performance,” he said.
The match is highly anticipated as Nigeria seeks a strong start in their quest for a fourth AFCON title, while Tanzania aims to break their opening-game curse and make a mark in the tournament.
