Nigeria vs Tanzania Prediction, Preview, Team News and Injuries

After a heartbreaking World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria enter AFCON with only redemption on their mind. They will meet Tanzania in their group opener. Find out who will come on top from the Nigeria vs Tanzania preview, Nigeria vs Tanzania prediction, Nigeria vs Tanzania injuries and Nigeria vs Tanzania team news.

Nigeria vs Tanzania Preview

The Nigeria national football team had a chance to lift their fourth AFCON in 2023, but a strong Ivory Coast side beat them. They will not be satisfied with anything less than a trophy to justify missing out on the biggest event in football. After a poor start in World Cup qualifiers, they showed great resilience to reach the runner-up spot and enter the playoffs. However, a tough defeat to DR Congo in penalty shootouts ended their dream. For the second time in a row, the Super Eagles will not be going to the World Cup.

It was a harsh reality check as their superstars who dominate European leagues failed to deliver for the national side. This AFCON presents them with a chance to pick up another title after 12 years and prove they can be better during the next cycle. They lost the sole friendly to Egypt before the tournament, but the returning stars will give them plenty of confidence to take on any side on the continent.

The Tanzania national football team returns to their fourth AFCON tournament in their history. However, they have never won a game at the premier tournament. They enter Morocco hoping to pick up three points for the first time.

The Taifa Stars have to defy all the odds as they are in shocking form. They are winless in their previous seven games and have managed to score in only two of them. They can become the punching bags of Group C if they are unable to raise their level.

Nigeria vs Tanzania Match Info

Match Name: AFCON, Group C, Matchday 1

Stadium Name: Complexe Sportif de Fes, Fes, Morocco

Kickoff Time: December 23rd 2025, 18:30 CET

Nigeria Team News

Eric Chelle made some surprising calls during his squad selection, who look promising to secure their places among the best AFCON players of 2025. Key goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was dropped, and long-serving captain William Troost-Ekong retired.

The manager now has straight forward selection ahead of him. His attack will have a strong front two of Viktor Osimhem and Akor Adams. Wilfried Ndidi will don the armband, and Stanley Nwabali will take up the number one role.

Nigeria Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Nwabali

Defenders: Sanusi, Bassey, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel

Midfielders: Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman

Forwards: Osimhen, Adams

Tanzania Team News

With no new fitness concerns, Tanzania can pick their best XI. Simon Mvusa is in line to pick up his 100th cap and can emerge as their joint record scorer if he can get on the scoresheet. He will lead the line along with Mbwana Samatta.

Tanzania Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Suleiman

Defenders: Kaponbe, Mwamnyeto, Job, Husseini

Midfielders: M'Mombwa, Miroshi, Salum, Allarakhia

Forwards: Mvusa, Samatta

Nigeria vs Tanzania Injuries

Tanzania has no injuries heading into the tournament. However, Nigeria is missing some crucial players due to their fitness issues.

Nigeria Injuries

Here are Nigeria's injuries ahead of their clash with Tanzania.

Nigeria vs Tanzania Prediction

Nigeria showed great form of late to reach the playoffs of the World Cup qualifying phase. But it is not to be forgotten that they have plenty of issues in defence that could be exploited by the opposition. However, their star quality will be too much to handle for Tanzania.

SportsDunia's Nigeria vs Tanzania Prediction: Nigeria 2-0 Tanzania