Nigeria Takes on Tanzania in AFCON 2025 Opener: A Clash of Titans
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face off against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in the highly anticipated opening match of Group C in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The match will take place at the Complexe Sportif de Fes in Fez, Morocco, and marks Nigeria’s first test in the tournament.
Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a strong starting XI, featuring a mix of defensive solidity and attacking flair. The lineup includes goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Akor Adams .
Nigeria has a significant advantage in head-to-head matches, with four wins and three draws in seven encounters. The Super Eagles have also dominated in terms of goals scored, with 11 goals against Tanzania’s 3. In their previous AFCON meeting in 1980, Nigeria won 3-1 .
Tanzania, on the other hand, will be looking to cause an upset and make a strong impression in the tournament. They have struggled in recent matches, with only one win in their last seven games. However, they will be boosted by the experience of players like Simon Msuva, who is approaching his 100th international cap, and Mbwana Samatta, who leads the line .
Given Nigeria’s superior form and head-to-head statistics, they are expected to win the match. The predicted score is 2-0 in favor of Nigeria, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman expected to lead the attack ² ⁶.
The match kicks off at 17:30 GMT, and fans can catch the action live on Channel 4 in the UK or through various streaming platforms .
What are your predictions for the match? Do you think Tanzania can pull off an upset?