Nigeria v Tanzania: Line-ups, stats and preview

Nigeria v Tanzania preview

Nigeria are aiming to go one better than their defeat in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final when the three-time champions start their 2025 campaign against Tanzania in Fes on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles spurned a lead to lose the decider to host nation the Ivory Coast, and Eric Chelle’s side are also aiming to vanquish the despair of their World Cup play-off defeat on penalties to DR Congo in November, in which they again led.

“When you coach Nigeria, you have to win everything,” said head coach Eric Chelle (via CAF Online), who has won four and drawn two of his matches since taking charge in March.

“But we proceed with humility, a smile and a will to work. This team has great players. If we stay serious, motivated and united, nothing is impossible.”

Tanzania reached the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August before being knocked out by Morocco, who are the AFCON host nation and favourites.

The Taifa Stars have appeared at three of the last four editions, going out in the group stage on each occasion.

“We have built on some incredible belief and fighting spirit from what we did in CHAN,” said midfielder Feisal Salum, of Tanzanian Premier League club Azam.

“Everyone is really motivated after what we did [there]. Those were very tough games and almost the same like an AFCON.

“This will definitely be tougher because we are competing against the best players in Africa from across the world.”

Nigeria v Tanzania team news

New Le Havre forward Mbwana Samatta, who had a brief spell at Aston Villa in 2020 following an £8.5 million move from Genk, is back in Tanzania’s squad as captain.

Defender Haji Mnoga, of English fourth-tier club Salford City, is among Samatta’s fellow players operating overseas in a squad largely recruiting from Tanzania’s domestic league.

Prolific Galatasaray forward and former Ballon d’Or contender Victor Osimhen is almost certain to be crucial if Nigeria are to challenge for the title.

Nigeria dropped 11 points out of 15 in World Cup qualifying when Osimhen was not involved, while Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Al-Kholood centre-back William Troost-Ekong and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi are also likely to prove influential.

Nigeria v Tanzania predicted line-ups

Nigeria starting XI: Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman

Tanzania starting XI: Yakoub Suleiman, Haji Mnoga, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Tarryn Allarakhia, Pascal Msindo, Charles M’Mombwa, Yusuph Kagoma, Habibu Idd, Feisal Salum, Mbwana Samatta, Kelvin John

How to watch Nigeria v Tanzania: TV channel, live online streams

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 17:30 GMT (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Nigeria v Tanzania stats

• Nigeria are appearing at their 21st AFCON finals and were winners in 1980, 1994 and 2013, as well as being runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023
• They have finished in the top three in 13 of their last 15 AFCON appearances and been eliminated in the group stage twice overall (1963, 1982)
• In tournaments hosted in North Africa, Nigeria have finished inside the top three in five of their six appearances
• They have won 13 and lost five of their 20 opening AFCON matches
• Chelle led Mali to the 2023 quarter-finals
• Tanzania are appearing for a fourth time, having first qualified in 1980 and returned in 2019
• They have qualified for successive editions for the first time but are 10 AFCON matches without a win (D3 L7)
• All three of Tanzania’s previous opening games at the finals have been defeats, although they avoided losses in two successive AFCON matches for the first time in 2023
• A 0–0 draw with DR Congo at that tournament is their only clean sheet at the finals
• Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were their joint-top scorers in qualifying with two goals each and are among the players aiming to improve upon Tanzania’s return of one goal across their last four AFCON matches

Nigeria v Tanzania prediction

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