AFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Tanzania preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The 2023 AFCON runners-up will be looking to start the tournament with a win over the Taifa Stars, with the hope of getting to the next round.

Nigeria aims to win their fourth AFCON title, having lost to host Ivory Coast in the final of the previous edition. 

The Super Eagles last won the trophy 12 years ago, and their recent failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals for the second consecutive time has added to supporter disappointment.

Expectations are low for Éric Chelle's team, largely due to injuries and recent successive defeats against D.R Congo and Egypt.

Tanzania secured their third AFCON finals appearance in the last four editions by finishing second in Group H qualification, following back-to-back victories over Ethiopia and Guinea in the final two rounds of fixtures. 

However, qualification was not enough for head coach Hemed Suleiman to keep his job as Argentine Miguel Gamondi replaced him in early November. 

Gamondi is tasked with securing the Taifa Stars' first-ever AFCON victory at the tenth attempt, as well as reversing their current form: they have failed to win any of their last seven fixtures, losing the last four.

Do not forget to check out our daily betting tips on BET OF THE DAY.

Nigeria have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning three of the last five encounters against Tanzania. The Super Eagles recorded a 1–0 victory the last time these two sides met in a competitive qualifier. 

Tanzania has found it extremely difficult to score against the Nigerian defence, failing to find the net in three of their last five games against Nigeria.

Ahead of this clash, Nigeria will be without a couple of notable names, as Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredrick have both been left out of the squad and not called up for the AFCON competition, due to injury.

Tanzania, on the other hand, head into the fixture with no reported injury concerns. With a fully fit squad available, they are expected to field their strongest possible lineup and may look to take advantage of Nigeria’s depleted defensive resources.

After reviewing our predictions, be sure to visit the Livescore Bet website to bet on your favourite games with enticing odds.

Nigeria (4-3-3): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman

Tanzania (4-2-3-1): Y. Suleiman; Mnoga, Mwamnyeto, D. Job, M. Husseini; Miroshi, Feisal Salum; Msuva, M'Mombwa, Allarakhia; Samatta

With Nigeria improving in attack but Tanzania proving to be very resilient in defensive transitions lately, this clash could be decided by the individual quality of the home side.

The Super Eagles possess far superior talent, which should be enough to overcome a determined Tanzanian side.