Head coach of the Taifa Stars, Hemed Suleiman Ali has admitted that his team has zero options after being grouped with two former champions, Nigeria and Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

In an interview with CAFOnline, Ali remarked that his team was condemned to overcome the two tough opponents to get beyond the group stage.

Morocco 2025 will be Tanzania’s fourth outing having debuted in Nigeria in 1980 and qualifying for a second time at Egypt 2019 after being guided by a Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amuneke.

They made their third outing at Cote d’Ivoire 2023.  

The Tanzania head coach was reacting to Monday evening’s AFCON Morocco 2025 draw in Rabat which saw the East Africans drawn in an interesting group that pairs them with neighbours Uganda, as well as two former African champions Nigeria and Tunisia.

He remarked that every group of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 presents its challenges and that their Group C pool is no different to any of the other five groups.

Tanzania, a fast-growing African football nation is headed to its Africa Cup of Nations, with their third in Cote d’Ivoire.

“We are ready. We saw who we are going to play with. I think it’s a tough group but it’s tough for all of them. There is no easy group. If you have qualified for this stage of the competition, you have to prepare. We know who we are facing, and we know how we will prepare for them. There is no other way, we have to prepare well and represent our people well at this tournament” said the 54-year-old coach.

The Morocco finals mark the coach’s second consecutive appearance as head coach of the Taffia Stars.

Suleiman Ali took over the reins from as Interim Coach at the Cote d’Ivoire finals after the dismissal of Adel Amrouche in the group stages.

Under his guidance, Tanzania qualified for the finals through back-to-back victories against Guinea and Ethiopia, including a crucial 1-0 win over Guinea, sealed by Saimon Happygod Msuva’s decisive goal.

Tanzania will also be hoping to secure their first win of the competition, having played 9 matches, drawn three and lost six.

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Nigeria’s quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title will be fuelled by a hunger for redemption, according to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. 

The Malian tactician acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead but insisted that Nigeria’s squad is motivated to go all the way.

“Yes, it’s going to be difficult to win because there are 24 very good teams and some very good coaches,” Chelle admitted.

“I know I’ve got a team that’s out for revenge, and I’m out for revenge too, so we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Nigeria, drawn in Group C, will face 2004 champions Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in the group stage.

While the Super Eagles boast a rich history in the tournament, having won three titles (1980, 1994, and 2013), Chelle and his team know that no opponent can be taken lightly.

Tunisia, a long-time rival, knocked Nigeria out in the round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON, adding an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming clash.

Uganda, making their eighth tournament appearance, and Tanzania, featuring for only the fourth time, will both be eager to cause an upset.

With 16 AFCON medals—more than any other nation in tournament history—Nigeria will be expected to advance from the group, but Chelle remains cautious.

The Super Eagles’ agonizing 2-1 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the 2023 final remains fresh in the minds of players and fans alike.

That loss denied Nigeria a chance to add to their AFCON legacy, and Chelle believes it has only strengthened the team’s resolve.

“We are out for revenge,” he stated confidently. “We know what this team is capable of, and our goal is clear—to lift the trophy in Morocco.”

With a squad packed with talent, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, and a solid defensive unit, Nigeria remains one of the tournament favorites.

Beyond the competition itself, Chelle took a moment to acknowledge the tournament hosts, Morocco, for their hospitality and preparations.

“I’d also like to thank Morocco for the warm welcome. Shukran,” he said, using the Arabic word for “thank you.”

With Morocco hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1988, the atmosphere is expected to be electric.

The tournament, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will see matches played across six Moroccan cities, adding to the spectacle.

With 21 AFCON appearances, Nigeria remains one of the continent’s footballing giants.

The last two tournaments have seen the Super Eagles fall short of expectations, but Chelle’s words signal a shift in mindset—this is a team ready to fight for the trophy once again.

Their campaign begins in Group C, but the ultimate goal is clear: avenging the pain of 2023 and reclaiming Africa’s biggest prize.

-CAF

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria Super Eagles will play their last Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Uganda in Fez on 30 December.

Historically, Nigeria had always found Uganda a hard nut to crack.

In eight previous confrontations, Uganda won four, including the elimination of Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 1978 edition in Ghana.

The last time both countries met was in 2015 to mark Nigeria’s skipper Enyeama’s 100th international cap in Uyo.

Uganda Cranes spoilt the celebration with a 1-0 home defeat for Nigeria in a match that Odion Ighalo made his debut.

Uganda have done it before, and they feel they can still do it. Skipper Khalid Acho is quoted by Ugandan publication, Nile Post as saying that the Cranes are heading for Morocco “with the intention of competing, not just participating.”

He noted that the upcoming tournament comes as a chance for the Cranes to not only compete but also to strive for excellence and bring pride to the country.

“Being at AFCON means you’re strong enough to compete with any team. Therefore, we will face all the teams and strive to make Ugandans proud,” Aucho said. “I know my boys. They will give their all,” he stressed.

Aucho led the Cranes through the AFCON qualifying matches in Group K, where they finished second, securing an automatic qualification for the tournament.

This will mark Uganda’s return to the 35th edition of Africa’s biggest football event, having missed the last two tournaments since their last appearance in the 2019 finals in Egypt.

At 31 years old, Aucho brings a wealth of experience, having represented the Uganda Cranes in their last two AFCON appearances in 2017 (Cameroon) and 2019 (Egypt).

Young Africans midfielder is expected to play a crucial role in coach Paul Put’s squad’s continental dream.

Nigeria -Uganda: Head-to-Head

P        W        D        L        F        A

Uganda                           8        4         2         2       6       5

Nigeria                            8         2         2        4       5       6

• 14 Mar.1978 (Afcon) Uganda 2-1 Nigeria  
• 26 Sep. 1981 (F) Uganda 1-0 Nigeria
• 29 Aug. 1992 (Afcon q) Nigeria 2-0 Uganda
• 17 Jul 1993 (Afcon q) Uganda 0-0 Nigeria            
• 24 Mar 2007(Afcon q) Nigeria 1-0 Uganda            
• 2 June 2007(Afcon q) Uganda 2-1 Nigeria
• 25 Mar. 2015 (F) Nigeria 0-1 Uganda
• 20 Nov. 2018 (F) Nigeria 0-0 Uganda