Eagles rekindle history with Taifa 45 years after Lagos glory

Nigeria open their 35th Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania in Fès on Tuesday (today) evening with history, pedigree and expectation firmly on their side, 45 years after the two nations first crossed paths at the tournament in Lagos, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Favoured to take all three points in the Group C opener, the Super Eagles arrive carrying the weight of continental experience against a Taifa Stars side still searching for a maiden victory at Africa’s flagship competition.

This will be only the second Africa Cup of Nations meeting between the two countries, their first coming on March 8, 1980 when hosts Nigeria launched a title-winning campaign with a 3–1 victory at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

That afternoon, captained by Christian Chukwu, Nigeria set the tone for what would become their first continental triumph, while Tanzania, led then by Leodegar Tenga, were left to reflect on a familiar outcome.

Across all competitions, Nigeria remain unbeaten in seven previous meetings, recording four wins and three draws, with the most recent encounters coming during qualifying for the 2017 finals, when a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam was followed by a narrow Nigerian win in Uyo.

The broader contrast between the sides is stark. Nigeria are appearing at their 21st finals, more than any nation outside Egypt, and will play their 105th match at the tournament, the third-highest total in its history.

Three-time champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, the Super Eagles have finished runners-up five times and reached the podium in 13 of their last 15 appearances. Since 1988, they have progressed to at least the semi-finals in 13 of 15 tournaments and have been eliminated at the group stage only twice in their entire Africa Cup of Nations history. Their record in North Africa is similarly imposing, finishing in the top three in five of six appearances hosted in the region.

Tanzania’s presence tells a different story. This is only their fourth appearance at the finals and their second successive qualification, a modest milestone for a side that has played 10 Africa Cup of Nations matches without recording a win.

Three draws and seven defeats define their tournament history, with just one clean sheet, a 0–0 draw against DR Congo in 2023, and only a single goal scored across their last four finals matches. They have lost all three previous opening games at the tournament and arrive in Fès still waiting to break a long-standing continental drought.

Nigeria’s consistency in opening fixtures further strengthen their status as favourites. They have won 13 of their 20 AFCON openers, drawn twice and lost five, and are unbeaten in their last three opening matches. They have also lost just one of their last 14 group-stage matches overall, scoring in each of their last six, and have suffered only four defeats in their last 25 matches at the tournament.

The Super Eagles qualified for Morocco undefeated, winning four matches and drawing two, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen finishing as joint top scorers in the campaign.

Speaking on Monday, head coach Eric Chelle played down off-field reports and insisted his full attention remained on the opener. He said the squad were pleased to be in Morocco and acutely aware of the importance of starting well.

“We are very happy to be here, this is a big game, because this is the first game of the AFCON for us and the first game is very important and for sure we want to win,” Chelle said.

“Ever since I took this job, I am only focused on this game, my players and my officials. After the AFCON I will definitely have a meeting with the FA, but now I am only focused on the tournament. This is the most important game right now.”

Inside the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, Chelle is expected to lean on a familiar spine, with Stanley Nwabali in goal, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey anchoring the defence, and Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi operating as wing-backs. Wilfred Ndidi, newly appointed captain, should marshal the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Simon Moses, Lookman and Osimhen are tipped to lead the attack.

Nigeria also boast considerable depth, with Ryan Alebiosu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Raphael Onyedika, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu offering options from the bench.

The squad selection comes despite the absence of some notable figures, including former captain William Troost-Ekong, who has stepped away from international duty. Chelle acknowledged the significance of the missing experience but stressed his confidence in those available.

“I prefer that all of these guys are in, but now I am with my guys and I have a big trust in them,” he said. “We have a big defence, we have worked a lot on that, and now we are focused on this as the only project.”

Tanzania, coached by Miguel Gamondi, will lean heavily on experience as they seek to frustrate their illustrious opponents. Captain Mbwana Samatta, now with Le Havre in Ligue 1, remains their most recognisable figure, supported by winger Simon Msuva and creative midfielder Feisal Salum, while wing-back Mohammed Hussein offers energy from the flanks.

There is also a subtle Nigerian connection within the Tanzanian league, with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie currently playing his club football alongside Hussein Masalinga and Khalid Iddi, an added layer to an otherwise one-sided rivalry.

The weather in Fès is expected to be cold, mirroring conditions across much of Morocco, but Nigeria’s ambition is to generate early warmth in their campaign and engage supporters at home and across the diaspora.