Sport|Africa Cup of NationsAFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Tanzania – team news, start time and lineupsMoving on from the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, Nigeria face Tanzania in their AFCON 2025 opener.
Date and Time: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025, at 6:30pm (17:30 GMT)
Date and Time: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025, at 6:30pm (17:30 GMT)
Nigeria is set to begin its AFCON 2025 campaign against Tanzania in Group C. The team aims to recover from its recent World Cup qualification setback. With top players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria is one of the favorites in a group that also includes Tunisia and Uganda.
Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was due to a defeat in the playoffs against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite being among the best runners-up in the African qualifiers, Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to DRC, preventing them from advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs. This marks the second consecutive time Nigeria has not qualified for the World Cup.
Following the loss to DRC, Nigeria filed a petition with FIFA, alleging DRC used ineligible players during the playoff. The Nigerian football federation claims that several dual-nationality players were improperly cleared to play for DRC. However, the DRC federation has denied these allegations.
Tanzania's football federation has appointed Miguel Gamondi as interim head coach, replacing Hemed Suleiman one month before AFCON 2025. Suleiman had previously led Tanzania to their fourth AFCON appearance and to the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championships. However, the team did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Date and Time: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025, at 6:30pm (17:30 GMT) Nigeria is set to begin its AFCON 2025 campaign against Tanzania in Group C.
Victor Osimhen Ademola Lookman Calvin Bassey Alex Iwobi Wilfred Ndidi
Mbwana Samatta Simon Msuva Mohamed Hussein Haji Mnoga
Benjamin Fredrick and Ola Aina are unavailable due to injuries. William Troost-Ekong, the regular captain, has retired from international football, with Wilfred Ndidi taking over the captaincy. Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare have been omitted from the squad.
New coach Gamondi has excluded Mudathir Yahya from the squad. There are no other absentees reported.
Nwabili (Goalkeeper); Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Chukwueze, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
Suleiman (Goalkeeper); Kapombe, Hamad, Husseini, Msindo; Miroshi, Salum, Job; Msuva, Mzize, Samatta
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
