The Super Eagles of Nigeria step into their 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on Tuesday night in Fès with a familiar sense of expectation as they face Tanzania in a Group C opener that leans heavily in their favour on paper.
Forty-five years after the two sides first met at the tournament, the Super Eagles return to the continental stage carrying pedigree, experience and an imposing record against a Taifa Stars team still chasing a first-ever AFCON victory.
Their only previous meeting at the finals came on March 8, 1980, when hosts Nigeria opened a title-winning run with a 3-1 win over Tanzania at the National Stadium in Surulere. Led then by Christian Chukwu, Nigeria laid down an early marker on the way to their maiden continental crown, while Tanzania, captained by Leodegar Tenga, were left to regroup.
Since that afternoon in Lagos, the balance has barely shifted. Across seven meetings in all competitions, Nigeria remain unbeaten, recording four wins and three draws. The most recent encounters came during qualifying for the 2017 finals, with a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam followed by a narrow Nigerian victory in Uyo.
The broader contrast between the sides reveals why Nigeria began as a firm favourite. This is their 21st appearance at the finals, more than any nation outside Egypt, and their 105th match at the tournament, the third-highest tally in AFCON history.
Three-time champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, the Super Eagles have reached the podium in 13 of their last 15 appearances and have exited at the group stage only twice in their entire AFCON history. Their record in North Africa is similarly strong, with top-three finishes in five of the six tournaments hosted in the region.
Tanzania’s story is more modest. This is only their fourth appearance at the finals and their second in a row. In 10 AFCON matches, they have yet to record a win, managing three draws and seven defeats. They have scored just once across their last four finals matches and have lost all three of their previous opening games.
Nigeria’s own record in the first matches offers further encouragement. They have won 13 of their 20 AFCON openers, drawn two and lost five, and are unbeaten in their last three opening fixtures. They have also lost only one of their last 14 group-stage matches and have been beaten just four times in their last 25 AFCON outings.
Qualification for Morocco was equally assured. Nigeria went through unbeaten, winning four matches and drawing two, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen finishing as joint top scorers.
Inside the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, Coach Eric Chelle is expected to rely on a settled core. Stanley Nwabali is set to start in goal, with Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey at the heart of the defence and Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi providing width as wing-backs.
Wilfred Ndidi, newly named captain, should anchor the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Simon Moses, Lookman and Osimhen are tipped to lead the line.
Depth remains one of Nigeria’s strengths, with Ryan Alebiosu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Raphael Onyedika, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu all available from the bench.
Tanzania, coached by Miguel Gamondi, will look to resilience and organisation. Captain Mbwana Samatta, now with Le Havre in Ligue 1, remains their standout figure, supported by winger Simon Msuva and creative midfielder Feisal Salum. Wing-back Mohammed Hussein is expected to provide energy down the flanks.
There is also a subtle Nigerian link within the Tanzanian camp, with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie plying his club trade alongside Hussein Masalinga and Khalid Iddi in the Tanzanian league.
Cold conditions are forecast in Fès, in line with much of Morocco, but the Super Eagles will be hoping to generate early warmth with a strong start to their campaign and give supporters at home and across the diaspora something to rally behind.
Super Eagles Of Nigeria Vs Tanzania Kick-off Time: 6:30 p.m.
Head-to-Head AFCON
Nigeria: P1 W1 D0 L0 GF3 GA1 GD+2
Tanzania: P1 W0 D0 L1 GF1 GA3 GD-2
Head-to-Head Overall
Nigeria: P7 W4 D3 L0 GF11 GA3
Tanzania: P7 W0 D3 L4 GF3 GA11
Head-to-Head AFCON
Nigeria: P1 W1 D0 L0 GF3 GA1
Tanzania: P1 W0 D0 L1 GF1 GA3
Where to Watch Nigeria vs Tanzania
The match will be shown live in Nigeria on SuperSport channels 252 and 254 on DStv, with streaming available on mobile platforms. Viewers in South Africa can follow the game on SABC 3, while audiences in francophone countries can watch via Canal+ Afrique.
