AFCON 2025: Super Eagles target winning start against Tanzania

The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars will clash in the opening Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday, with both sides aiming to secure all three points and place their campaign on a strong footing from the outset.

Tanzania, coached by Miguel Gamondi, is making only its fourth appearance at the AFCON finals, following group-stage exits in 1980, 2019, and 2023. The Taifa Stars are yet to record a victory at Africa’s flagship tournament, having drawn three and lost six of their nine matches so far.

The Super Eagles are among the most successful teams in the 68-year history of the competition, although Egypt leads the roll of honour with seven titles, followed by Cameroon with five and Ghana with four.

Inside the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday evening, as Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle confidently told CAF last month that Nigerians expect their team to win every match.

For Tanzania, Gamondi is likely to build his game plan around captain Mbwana Samatta of Le Havre in France and experienced winger Simon Msuva, who plays in Iraq. Both players bring considerable international experience and leadership to the Taifa Stars’ attack.

The Tanzanians also boast the energetic wing-back Mohammed Hussein of Young Africans and creative midfielder Feisal Salum of Azam FC, both key figures in the domestic league.

The Nigerian side, captained by Christian Chukwu, defeated Tanzania 3–1 in the opening match of the 1980 AFCON at the National Stadium, Surulere, a result that paved the way for the Super Eagles’ first continental title.

While Fès is expected to be cold on Tuesday, as winter grips much of Morocco, the Super Eagles are determined to rise above the conditions and secure a result that will ignite enthusiasm among Nigerian fans at home and in the diaspora as the 35th AFCON finals get underway.

Anthony Nlebem

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.