Nigeria is gearing up to launch its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on Tuesday, with a strong desire to transform recent disappointments into success as they face Tanzania at Fez Stadium. The Super Eagles, last year’s runners-up, still feel the sting of a narrow 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast in the final, which denied them their fourth AFCON title and extended their drought to over a decade.
The team’s anguish deepened when they failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking their second consecutive absence from this prestigious event—a significant low for a team that made its debut on the global stage in 1994. Their journey to that missed opportunity was fraught with challenges, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against DR Congo following a playoff semifinal victory over Gabon.
With their sights set firmly on redemption, Nigeria enters this tournament eager to regain its status as a continental powerhouse. However, their momentum seems fragile after recently suffering a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in a friendly, breaking a promising streak that included five wins in their last seven matches when considering extra-time victories.
Despite this, the Super Eagles boast a wealth of talent and experience. They are significantly favored against Tanzania, a team ranked 74 places below them in the FIFA standings. Yet, as highlighted by the previous AFCON results, caution is warranted. Nigeria’s last tournament began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, but ultimately led them to the final after they regrouped.
Nigeria’s roster is filled with quality players from top European leagues, including former CAF Players of the Year like Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. They also have key players such as Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Wilfred Ndidi, raising expectations that anything less than a commanding performance in their opening match would be considered underwhelming.
On the other hand, Tanzania comes into the game with fewer expectations, using this tournament as a stepping stone toward their ambitions as co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Kenya. Nevertheless, the Taifa Stars are keen to improve upon their previous AFCON appearances, where they have historically struggled at the group stage, including a disappointing last edition finishing at the bottom with only two points.
Tanzania’s recent performances have not provided much optimism either, with the team winless in their last seven outings. Their lackluster form in World Cup qualifying and heavy friendly defeats, including a high-scoring 4-3 loss to Kuwait, have revealed significant defensive vulnerabilities.
Nigeria’s defense has undergone some reshuffling, with Brentford-bound Benjamin Fredrick sidelined due to injury, while Ola Aina is recovering from a hamstring issue. The captaincy duties have shifted to Ndidi, who is set to play a pivotal role in the midfield within a 4-4-2 diamond formation. The central defense is expected to feature Bassey and Semi Ajayi, alongside full-backs Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi, while Stanley Nwabali is solidifying his spot as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Up front, winger Samuel Chukwueze, who has recently been on fire in the Premier League, could prove vital in this match. Iwobi will play centrally, while Lookman, a key scorer in the last AFCON, is set to support debutant Akor Adams and Galatasaray’s Osimhen, who is closing in on Nigeria’s all-time goal record with 31 international goals.
Tanzania has reported no new injury issues and will leverage a squad rich in domestic talent. Veteran winger Simon Msuva, returning after an absence, could potentially earn his 100th cap while also chasing Mrisho Ngasa’s long-standing national scoring record. Mbwana Samatta, now playing with Le Havre, remains an attacking threat as he also eyes that scoring milestone.
As Nigeria steps onto the field, the hope for a redemptive tournament resonates strongly within the squad, eager to reclaim their rightful place among Africa’s elite football teams.