TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 – Group C

Nigeria and Tanzania will meet at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the second time when they face off in Fes on Tuesday (kick-off 18h30 local time / 17h30 GMT), 45 years after their first encounter at the tournament, writes CAFonline.

Their only previous AFCON meeting came at the 1980 finals, when hosts Nigeria opened their campaign with a 3–1 victory over Tanzania in Lagos on 8 March 1980, going on to win their first continental title.

Overall, the teams have met seven times across all competitions, with Nigeria unbeaten, winning four matches and drawing three.

Their most recent encounters came in qualifying for the 2017 AFCON, drawing 0–0 in Dar es Salaam on 5 September 2015 before Nigeria won 1–0 in Uyo on 3 September 2016. Egypt would qualify ahead of both teams.

Nigeria goalkeeper Amas Obasogie currently plays his club football in Tanzania for Singida Black Stars, where he is a teammate of Hussein Masalinga and Khalid Iddi.

HEAD-TO-HEAD OVERALL

Nigeria: P7 W4 D3 L0 GF11 GA3 GD+8Tanzania: P7 W0 D3 L4 GF3 GA11 GD-8

HEAD-TO-HEAD AFCON

Nigeria: P1 W1 D0 L0 GF3 GA1 GD+2Tanzania: P1 W0 D0 L1 GF1 GA3 GD-2

PAST AFCON MEETINGS

1980 AFCON, Group A – 8 March 1980
Nigeria 3 (Lawal 11’, Onyedika 35’, Odegbami 85’) Tanzania 1 (Mkambi 54’)

Nigeria – Key Statistics

• Appearing at their 21st AFCON finals.
• Three-time champions (1980, 1994, 2013).
• Runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023.
• Finished in the top three in 13 of their last 15 AFCON appearances.
• Eliminated at the group stage only twice (1963, 1982).
• Have reached at least the semi-finals in 13 of their last 15 appearances since 1988.
• In tournaments hosted in North Africa, finished inside the top three in five of six appearances.
• Opening-game record at AFCON: P20 W13 D2 L5.
• Unbeaten in their opening match at the last three tournaments.
• Lost just one of their last 14 AFCON group games (W10 D3).
• Have scored in their last six AFCON group matches.
• Have lost just four of their last 25 AFCON matches overall.
• Will play their 105th AFCON match, the third-most in tournament history.
• Have scored 146 goals at AFCON, four short of 150.
• Qualified undefeated, winning four matches and drawing two.
• Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were top scorers in qualifying with two goals each.
• Coached by Eric Chelle, appointed in January, who led Mali to the quarter-finals at AFCON 2023.

Tanzania – Key Statistics

• Making their fourth AFCON appearance.
• First qualified in 1980; returned at Egypt 2019.
• Have qualified for successive finals for the first time.
• Played 10 AFCON matches without a win (D3 L7).
• Lost all three previous opening games at the finals.
• Avoided defeat in two successive AFCON matches for the first time in 2023.
• Their 0–0 draw with DR Congo in 2023 was their only clean sheet at the finals.
• Have scored just one goal in their last four AFCON matches.
• Progressed from qualifying alongside DR Congo.
• Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were joint top scorers in qualifying with two goals each.

Samatta, Msuva headline Tanzania’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 squad

Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has announced his final 28-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, confirming the group that will attempt to guide the Taifa Stars out of the tournament’s group stage for the first time in their history.

The squad, revealed after an earlier provisional list, blends key overseas-based players with a strong core from Simba SC, Young Africans and Azam FC.

Tanzania, making their fourth appearance at the continental finals, have been drawn into a demanding Group A alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and regional rivals Uganda.

The biggest headline is the presence of captain Mbwana Samatta, who returns to lead the side after rediscovering his form with French Ligue 1 club Le Havre.

Experienced forward Simon Msuva, now playing in Iraq, is also included after featuring in the provisional squad.

Gamondi said when unveiling his preliminary list that his priority was to build a “strong, well-balanced side” capable of competing with Africa’s best, emphasizing his intention to rely heavily on locally based players who understand Tanzanian football’s identity.

The final selection also reflects that philosophy. Several standout performers from the Tanzanian Premier League — including Feisal Salum, Pascal Msindo, Yakoub Suleiman and Mohammed Hussein — have been retained, while young talents such as Kelvin Nashon and Novatus Dismas also make the squad.

Defender Haji Mnoga, who plays for Salford City in England, is among the most notable overseas inclusions.

His experience at the 2023 AFCON adds valuable continuity to a defence that struggled at the last edition but showed improvement during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Taifa Stars collected their highest-ever AFCON points tally in 2023 despite exiting at the group stage, and Gamondi, who replaced Hemed Suleiman earlier, has called on his side to “push to get results in every game” as they chase a historic knockout-stage appearance.

Tanzania open their AFCON campaign against Nigeria on 23 December before facing Uganda four days later and concluding the group phase against Tunisia on 30 December.

Tanzania’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers
Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC)
Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS)
Zuberi Foba (Azam FC)

Defenders
Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans)
Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC)
Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC)
Mohamed Hussein (Young Africans)
Nickson Kibabage (Simba SC)
Alphonse Mkabule (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan)
Wilson Nnang (Simba SC)
Novatus Dismas (Göztepe FC, Turkey)
Kelvin Nashon (Tanda Jiji)
Pascal Msindo (Azam FC)
Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England)
Dickson Job (Young Africans)

Midfielders / Forwards
Ibrahim Abdulla (Young Africans)
Habibu Iddi (Singida BS)
Tarrryn Allouche (Rochdale AFC, England)
Charles Mombwa (Floriana FC, Malta)
Morice Abraham (Simba SC)
Feisal Salum (Azam FC)
Ahmed Pipino (Azam FC)
Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC)
Iddi Selemani (Azam FC)
Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France)
Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa)
Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark)
Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq)

Coach: Miguel Gamondi

Eric Chelle casts wide net for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 54-man preliminary squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, signalling fierce competition for places as the Super Eagles prepare for this month’s tournament in Morocco. 

The Franco-Malian manager has opted for depth across every position, inviting established internationals, long-term absentees and a wave of newcomers as he assesses his final options.

Under CAF regulations, Chelle must reduce the group to a maximum of 28 players before the tournament begins on 21 December.

Nigeria, runners-up in Ivory Coast last year and seeking their first continental title since 2013, will compete in Group D alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

A wide-ranging squad — and two injured players included

Nigeria’s extended list features 6 goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 12 midfielders and 23 forwards, one of the largest preliminary squads the country has ever named for an AFCON campaign.

While the goalkeeping department contains no major surprises, the defensive selection has drawn attention.

Felix Agu and Ola Aina, both expected to miss the tournament through injury, are nonetheless included — a decision that has raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits.

Chelle’s key defensive leaders, including William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, all return to anchor the back line.

They are joined by emerging defenders Ryan Alebiosu, Adeleke Adekunle, Emmanuel Michael and Igoh Ogbu, who has enjoyed a strong year in Europe.

Goalkeepers: established names and a rise for 16-year-old Harcourt

he goalkeeping unit will be headed by Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie, with Francis Uzoho also recalled.

The most notable inclusion is 16-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, whose selection underlines Chelle’s desire to expand Nigeria’s long-term options between the posts.

He joins Adebayo Adeleye as part of a six-man unit from which only three are expected to make the final squad.

Midfield balance and new talent breaking through

Nigeria’s midfield options continue to offer stability and familiarity.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika remain central to Chelle’s tactical plans, providing experience and composure.

They are joined for the first time by promising youngsters Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi and Peter Agba, while Christantus Uche and Usman Muhammed also earn call-ups after impressing in Europe and the domestic league.

Brothers Tom and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru feature together in the squad for the first time.

An overflowing forward line led by Osimhen and Lookman

The attack — Nigeria’s strongest and most competitive department — is headlined by two African Footballer of the Year winners: Victor Osimhen (2023) and Ademola Lookman (2024).

They are joined by an exceptionally deep forward pool that includes Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Chidera Ejuke, Akor Adams, Nathan Tella and others pushing for final selection.

Chelle has also opened the door for new attacking prospects: Philip Otele, Salim Fago, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ikwuemesi Chukwubuikem, Ekeson Okorie and Chisom Orji, each hoping to force their way into the final 28.

The size of the attacking list — 23 forwards — underscores both Nigeria’s depth and the difficult decisions ahead for Chelle.

Super Eagles face pressure and expectation in Morocco

After reaching the final in Cote d’Ivoire in the last edition, Nigeria enter AFCON 2025 with high expectations from supporters and analysts alike.

Chelle’s expansive preliminary list reflects both the depth of talent available and the challenges of building cohesion ahead of a demanding group stage.

The weeks ahead will determine who earns a place in the final 28. For now, Nigeria’s AFCON journey begins with the biggest selection battle the squad has seen in years.

Nigeria’s preliminary squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers:

Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Francis Uzoho, Ebenezer Harcourt, Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye

Defenders:

Felix Agu, Zaidu Sanusi, William Troost-Ekong, Ajayi Oluwasemilogo, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu, Adeleke Adenkunle, Emmanuel Michael

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Tom Dele-Bashiru

Attackers:

Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Adams Akor, Chidera Ejuke, Olakunle Olusegun, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Abdulrraheed Shehu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, Philip Otele, Ikwuemesi Chukwubuikem, Salim Fago