Who: Nigeria vs Tanzania
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
The place: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
When: Tuesday, December 23, at 6:30pm (17:30 GMT)
Easy methods to comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 14:30 GMT prematurely of our textual content commentary stream.
Nigeria’s much-celebrated golden technology was anticipated to propel the nation to new heights, however one other World Cup qualification disappointment has left the Tremendous Eagles trying to find solutions.
Beneficial Tales
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After the heartbreak of lacking out on a visit to North America in 2026, Nigeria arrive in Morocco looking for redemption and continental glory. The three-time champions open their AFCON 2025 marketing campaign towards Group C opponents Tanzania, who’ve appeared on the match simply thrice.
Boasting world-class expertise in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria are among the many favourites to high the group that additionally options Tunisia and Uganda.
Tuesday’s face-off in Fez pits collectively Nigeria and Tanzania for under the second time on the continental championships, 45 years after their first assembly on the competitors.
Right here’s all you want to know concerning the match:
Why did Nigeria fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Nigeria have been among the many greatest runners-up throughout the 9 African qualifying teams who superior to the playoffs, however lost 4-3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), failing to succeed in the inter-confederation playoffs.
The Tremendous Eagles, who’ve made six World Cup appearances, have now didn’t qualify for the worldwide showpiece occasion for the second time in a row.
A poor begin to their qualifying marketing campaign, managerial modifications and a pay dispute have been among the many components that led to their World Cup disappointment.
What occurred after the loss to DCR?
Final week, Nigeria submitted a petition to FIFA alleging DRC fielded ineligible gamers in that decisive playoff match.
The Nigerian soccer federation mentioned a number of dual-nationality gamers had been cleared to play for DRC with out assembly the required standards, however DRC’s federation rejected the allegations.
Teaching turnover for Tanzania
There is no such thing as a dearth of controversy in Tanzania, too.
Tanzania’s soccer federation fired its coach, Hemed Suleiman, only a month earlier than AFCON 2025, changing him with Miguel Gamondi, who will take interim cost of the Taifa Stars for the competitors.
Former coach Suleiman led Tanzania to their fourth Cup of Nations look and reached the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championships this yr. However they didn’t safe a spot within the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who’re Nigeria’s key gamers to look at?
Nigeria’s squad is filled with expertise in all departments, with forwards and former CAF Participant of the 12 months award winners Osimhen and Lookman headlining the group.
Defender Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, together with striker Samuel Chukwueze, are the opposite high-profile gamers.
Who’re Tanzania’s key gamers?
Mbwana Samatta, who performs for Ligue 1 membership Le Havre, and fellow skilled ahead Simon Msuva headline Tanzania’s squad.
Msuva returns after lacking the October and November home windows and stays probably the most capped member of the squad. An look on Tuesday will mark his one centesimal worldwide cap.
Defender Mohamed Hussein is a formidable presence in Tanzania’s backline, whereas teenager Haji Mnoga, who performs for Salford Metropolis within the English fourth tier, can be a part of the squad.
Kind information
All matches, most up-to-date outcome final:
Nigeria: L-L-W-W-W
Tanzania: L-L-L-L-D
Head-to-head
Nigeria and Tanzania have met seven occasions throughout all competitions, together with on the FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria have gained 4 of these matches, whereas three led to a draw.
Their final assembly was in 2016 at AFCON, the place Nigeria gained 1-0.
AFCON data
Nigeria have performed at AFCON 20 occasions, ending winners on three events – most lately lifting the trophy in 2013 – and runners-up 5 occasions. Remarkably, they’ve completed within the high three in 13 of their final 15 AFCON appearances.
Tanzania have by no means made it previous the group stage of their three AFCON appearances. They’re additionally certainly one of solely 4 groups at this yr’s version which have by no means gained an AFCON match, with six defeats and three attracts of their 9 AFCON matches total.
The AFCON 2025 is a landmark match for Tanzania, as they’ve certified for successive finals for the primary time.
Nigeria crew information
Nigeria shall be with out centre-back Benjamin Fredrick and full-back Ola Aina, who’re each injured.
William Troost-Ekong, the common captain, is unavailable after lately saying his retirement from worldwide soccer, with Ndidi now taking up the captaincy.
Strikers Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare have been the shock omissions from the squad.
Nigeria’s predicted lineup
Nwabili (Goalkeeper); Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Chukwueze, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
Tanzania crew information
New coach Gamondi dropped skilled midfielder Mudathir Yahya from the squad, however other than that, there aren’t any absentees.
Tanzania’s predicted lineup
Suleiman (Goalkeeper); Kapombe, Hamad, Husseini, Msindo; Miroshi, Salum, Job; Msuva, Mzize, Samatta
