AFCON
Nigeria Target Strong AFCON Start Against Winless Tanzania in Fez
By Kunle Solaja
- Tanzania have never won an AFCON match
- Nigeria hardly lose an opening match having avoided a loss in 17 of 20 instances
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a Group C clash against Tanzania in Fez, Morocco, aiming to set a strong tone in their 20th appearance at Africa’s flagship football tournament.
Although meetings between both sides have been few and far between, history strongly favours Nigeria. In 10 previous encounters, the Super Eagles have never lost to Tanzania, recording six wins and four draws, with a superior goals record of 14–5.
For Tanzania, the Morocco 2025 finals represent just their fourth appearance in 35 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, underlining the contrasting pedigree of both teams on the continental stage. The Taifa Stars are also yet to taste victory in an AFCON opening match. Their previous opening-day defeats include a 3–1 loss to Nigeria in Lagos in 1980, a 2–0 reverse against Senegal in 2019, and a 3–0 defeat to hosts Morocco at the 2023 tournament.
Overall, Tanzania have played nine AFCON matches since their debut in 1980 without recording a single win, a statistic they will be desperate to overturn in Fez.
Nigeria, by contrast, have traditionally started strongly at the Nations Cup. In 20 tournament appearances, the Super Eagles have lost just three opening matches — a 6–3 defeat to Egypt in 1963, a 5–1 loss to Algeria in 1990, and a 3–1 reverse against Egypt in 2010.
Their head-to-head record with Tanzania further underlines Nigeria’s dominance. The first meeting between both sides ended in a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam in July 1972, but Nigeria went on to win three successive encounters later that year and in early 1973. The Super Eagles also defeated Tanzania 3–1 in their only previous AFCON meeting in 1980 and completed a double over them in the 1980 World Cup qualifiers.
More recent competitive meetings also went Nigeria’s way, including a 1–0 home win in Uyo during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, following a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam.
As the Super Eagles look to navigate a competitive Group C, a positive start against familiar opponents could prove crucial. With history, pedigree and experience firmly on their side, Nigeria will be targeting maximum points against a Tanzania side eager to rewrite the script and announce their presence on the continental stage.
Nigeria-Tanzania Tale of the Tape
TEAMS P W D L F A Nigeria 10 6 4 0 14 5 Tanzania 10 0 4 6 5 14 DATE COMPETITION/VENUE SCORELINE 6 July 1972 Friendly, Dar Es Salaam Tanzania 0-0 Nigeria 6 November 1972 Friendly, Benin City Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania 11 November 1972 Friendly, Lagos Nigeria 3-2 Tanzania 12 January 1973 2nd All Africa Games, Lagos Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania 20 February 1976 Friendly, Dar Es Salaam Tanzania 0-0 Nigeria 8 March 1980 AFCON, Lagos Nigeria 3-1 Tanzania 6 December 1980 World Cup qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 1-1 Tanzania 20 December 1980 World Cup qualifier, Dar Es Salaam Tanzania 0-2 Nigeria 5 September 2015 AFCON qualifier, Dar es Salaam Tanzania 0-0 Nigeria 3 September 2016 AFCON qualifier, Uyo Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Akor Adams Scores But Super Eagles Fall 2-1 To Portugal In Leiria
Denied a US visa to watch the World Cup? Have a free TV, says Argentine company
Somali soccer referee who was denied US entry comes home to hero’s welcome
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup7 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- World Cup6 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- International Football3 days ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles
- World Cup4 days ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time
- Uncategorized5 days ago
Iran World Cup squad still in visa limbo 10 days before first match, ambassador says