Nigeria v Tanzania – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Super Eagles are looking for a strong response to their failed attempt at World Cup qualification. Nigeria have kept three clean sheets in a row against Tanzania.

Match: Nigeria v Tanzania
When: Monday, 21 Dec 2025

Nigeria Form

The Super Eagles topped their AFCON qualifying group ahead of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. They failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A 2-1 loss in Benin in June 2024 and a 1-1 home draw vs Zimbabwe in March 2025 proved damaging. In September, they drew 1-1 away to South Africa.

Nigeria rallied to beat Lesotho 2-1 and Benin 4-0 at home to reach the World Cup playoffs. They beat Gabon 4-1 in the playoff semi-finals, but lost on penalties to DR Congo in the final after a 1-1 draw. They’ve since had a pre-AFCON friendly, losing 2-1 to Egypt.

Nigeria Team News

Coach Eric Sékou Chelle is without injured fullback Ola Aina for this tournament. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been dropped, but Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali should be fit to play in goal.

Nigeria are stacked up front, meaning there is no room in the final squad for Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare or Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi. Werder Bremen striker Victor Boniface and Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho are also omitted.

Nigeria Motivation

Nigeria will see nothing less than a win as a good result in this opening match. Tanzania are one of the weaker sides at the tournament.

The Super Eagles are full of pace and power in attack and will take the game to the East Africans throughout.

Tanzania Form

Tanzania had some strong results in the middle of 2025. They drew 0-0 away to South Africa in June and beat both Uganda (1-0) and Senegal (2-1) in friendlies. They finished third in their World Cup qualifying group below Morocco and Niger.

A 1-1 draw in Congo was followed by a 1-0 home loss to Nigeria in September’s qualifiers. A 1-0 home defeat followed to Zambia in October. Going into this tournament, they lost two friendlies: 2-0 vs Iran and 4-3 vs Kuwait.

Tanzania Team News

Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has a physical squad, mixed with players based abroad and those from Simba SC and Yanga. Captain Mbwana Samatta of French Ligue 1 club Le Havre is the key man.

Feisal Salum is another one to watch in midfield. He was strongly linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs. Simon Msuva will be a danger man on the flanks.

Tanzania Motivation

Taifa Stars are ranked 112^th by FIFA and are major underdogs for this match. They qualified by being defensively sound and scoring very few goals.

Gamondi could set his side up in a compact 4-5-1 and look to hit Nigeria on the break. A draw would feel like a win.

Key Stats

• Nigeria have won 4 of their last 6 competitive matches
• Nigeria have kept clean sheets in their last 3 matches vs Tanzania
• Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has scored 5 goals in his last 3 matches for Nigeria
• Tanzania have lost their last 4 matches
• Tanzania have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches

Verdict

Nigeria are likely to win to zero in this match with Osimhen on target.

Best Bet: Nigeria win to zero at 2.05

Alternate Bet: Nigeria win + Osimhen to score anytime at 2.20