The Super Eagles of Nigeria open their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign this Tuesday against Tanzania, seeking to move past the heartbreak of missing the 2026 World Cup.
Ranked 38th globally—74 places above the Taifa Stars—Nigeria enters the match as heavy favorites.
However, head coach Éric Chelle faces the challenge of reorganizing a defense missing the recently retired William Troost-Ekong.
Wilfred Ndidi takes over the captaincy, while Victor Osimhen leads an attack aimed at securing Nigeria’s first continental crown in 12 years.
Tanzania, under new manager Miguel Gamondi, is hunting for its first-ever AFCON win. Veterans Mbwana Samatta and Simon Msuva (set for his 100th cap) will lead the underdog effort at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
Match Info
• Kick-off: Tuesday, Dec 23 | 8:30 PM EAT (5:30 PM GMT)
• Venue: Complexe Sportif de Fès, Morocco
• Nigeria XI (Probable): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Chukwueze; Lookman, Osimhen.
