Soccer
Prediction: Nigeria to win 3-0
Best Odds: 7/1
Nigeria and Tanzania will face each other in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this week. The Group C game between Eric Chelle’s side and Miguel Gamondi’s team will be held at the Fez Stadium in Fez and is scheduled to kick off at 5:30pm UK time on Tuesday.
Nigeria
Nigeria are one of the strongest teams in Africa and are among the favourites to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles reached the final of the AFCON last time out and will be determined to go all the way this time around.
Eric Chelle’s side will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stage from Group C. Nigeria have been pitted against Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania and will be confident of picking up nine points from the three games against those teams.
Ahead of the match against Tanzania, Chelle said: ”We are happy to be here. This is a big game because this is the first game of the tournament.
“The first game is very important every time. We are happy to play this game in Fes; for sure, we want to win this game.”
Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi added: “The spirit in camp is very high.
“This game is very important for us to assess the momentum. The guys are really ready and focused on this game. This is a game we are very prepared to win.”
Team News:
Nigeria are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Tanzania. Stanley Nwabali will be in goal, with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi, in front of him in defence. Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi will be deployed in midfield. Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will be the three forwards.
Tanzania
Tanzania are a modest footballing nation who are not expected to do much of note at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Taifa stars have never progressed beyond the group stage at AFCON, and that record is likely to stay the same this time around.
Miguel Gamondi’s side have been pitted against Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C. Nigeria are the clear favourites to win the group, and Tanzania will find it tough to finish above Tunisia in second place.
Ahead of the match against Nigeria, Gamondi said: “We need to be realistic, when you see the qualities in the Nigeria team you need to put in more than 100 per cent effort to try to neutralise them.
“Our mentality is to try to play and attack as well, we need to be tactically disciplined.”
Team News:
Tanzania are likely to line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation against Nigeria. Yakoub Suleiman will be in goal and will have Pascal Msindo, Ibrahim Hamad, Bakari Mwamnyeto and Lusajo Mwaikenda in front of him in defence. Novatus Miroshi will be deployed in holding midfield. Tarryn Allarakhia, Morice Abraham, Feisal Salum and Charles M’Mombwa will be the four attacking midfielders. Kelvin John will lead the line for Tanzania.
Key Factors to Consider
- Nigeria have met Tanzania 8 times, winning 5 and drawing 3.
- Nigeria have won 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Nigeria have lost their last 2 matches in all competitions.
- Tanzania have drawn 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- Tanzania have lost 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
Conclusion
Nigeria have a much better team than Tanzania and are very likely to pick up all three points from this particular 2025 Africa Cup of Nations game.
Prediction: Nigeria to win 3-0
Best Odds: 7/1
Read MoreJamie Jones