Nigeria and Tanzania clash in the first match of Group C of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, with the Super Eagles favoured to pick all three points to put their campaign in good standing right from the opening day.
The Taifa Stars, coached by Miguel Gamondi, are making only their fourth appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, following group stage exits in 1980, 2019 and 2023. They are yet to win a match in Africa’s flagship football championship, after drawing three and losing six of their previous nine encounters.
Surely, the setting is similar to the biblical David vs. Goliath situation, with Nigeria having participated in 20 previous editions, clinched three titles, won silver medals on five occasions, taken bronze medals eight times, and played a total of 104 matches.
Nigeria is the most decorated team in the 68-year history of the Africa Cup of Nations, though Egypt have seven titles, Cameroon have five, and Ghana has four.
Inside the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday evening, Coach Eric Chelle, who told CAFonline.com last month that Nigerians expect their team to win every match, will most probably set his store by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, central defenders Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, wing-backs Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi (new captain), Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Simon Moses, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
He has excellent options in Ryan Alebiosu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Raphael Onyedika, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu.
Gamondi will most likely weave his strategy around captain Mbwana Samatta (from Le Havre in the French Ligue 1) and Simon Msuva (who plays in Iraq). These two are very experienced warriors on the international stage and know when to deal and dither.
There are also wing-back Mohammed Hussein (who plays for Young Africans in the Tanzania Premier League) and the nifty midfielder Feisal Salum (also in the Tanzania Premier League with Azam FC).
More than 45 years ago, in the sunshine of Lagos, a Nigerian team captained by Christian Chukwu (who would emerge Player of the Tournament) and a Taifa Stars squad led by Leodegar Tenga (now Chairman of Tanzania’s National Sports Council) clashed in the opening match of the 12th AFCON at the National Stadium, Surulere. Nigeria won 3-1 to secure three precious points on their way to lifting the trophy for the first time.
Fès is expected to be cold on Tuesday, just like most parts of Morocco presently, but the Super Eagles are determined to ride through the climate and post a result that will stimulate greater interest of Nigerian ball fans at home and in the diaspora in the 35th AFCON finals.
