Super Eagles Target Fast Start, Taifa Stars Seek Breakthrough

The Stade de Fès will host a compelling Group E opener this Tuesday as Nigeria begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania.

The Super Eagles, three-time continental champions, enter the tournament as favourites, while the Taifa Stars arrive with renewed confidence and a desire to make history.

Nigeria, making their 21st appearance at the finals, boast a rich legacy. With titles in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and top three finishes in 13 of their last 15 tournaments, the Super Eagles have consistently delivered on the continental stage.

Head coach Éric Sékou Chelle, appointed in January after guiding Mali to the quarter-finals in Côte d’Ivoire, has stressed the importance of a strong start.

Team captain Wilfred Ndidi echoed that sentiment, highlighting the squad’s unity and ambition.

‘The team spirit is very high and the energy is really positive. This game means a lot to us because it sets the momentum for the tournament,’ he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s runner-up finish in 2023, Ndidi added, ‘We cannot go below that. The standard is already high and the team is ready for that.’

Nigeria will be without key figures from their last campaign, including William Troost-Ekong, who won the tournament’s MVP award, as well as Benjamin Fredrick and Ola Aina.

Coach Chelle remains confident in his squad’s depth and focus. ‘I trust my guys… it is not only about the defenders but all the players as a whole,’ he stated.

Tanzania, making their fourth AFCON appearance after previous qualifications in 1980, 2019 and 2023, are determined to leave a lasting impression. Head coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi has called for a bold approach.

‘We are not only coming to defend and participate; we will try to compete, give our best and take lessons for the next tournament we are hosting,’ he said.

Captain Ally Samatta, Tanzania’s most experienced player, believes the team is ready to rise to the occasion.

‘We are now integrated as one group, whether those are playing abroad or back home, and our goal is to do something special for Tanzania,” he said. “In big matches you need big performances to make the difference.’

Nigeria and Tanzania have met seven times across all competitions, with the Super Eagles unbeaten, four wins and three draws. Their last AFCON meeting came in 1980, when Nigeria won 3–1. In recent qualifiers, the teams drew 0–0 in Dar es Salaam before Nigeria edged a 1–0 win in Uyo.

Nigeria enter their 105th AFCON match, the third-most in tournament history, with key attacking threats including Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who each scored twice in qualifying.

Tanzania, still seeking their first AFCON win, achieved a milestone in 2023 with back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in their history. Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were standout performers in qualifying, each netting twice.