The Super Eagles arrive at the tournament as runners-up from the previous edition, having suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in a fiercely contested final.
This time, Nigeria will be determined to go one step further and end a 12-year wait for continental glory in Morocco, particularly after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tanzania, meanwhile, endured a difficult campaign at the 2023 AFCON, exiting at the group stage after collecting just two points. The Taifa Stars will be hoping for an improved showing this time around, though they face a stern test against Eric Chelle’s side in their opener.
Form has not been on Tanzania’s side heading into this encounter. They are winless in their last seven matches and have suffered four straight defeats.
Coach Miguel Gamondi also has the daunting task of addressing Taifa Stars’ poor AFCON record as they have never won a group-stage match at the tournament, losing six and drawing three of their nine games.
Below, Flashscore provides all the essential information ahead of the clash, including broadcast details, referee appointments, and more.
When is the Africa Cup of Nations match?
The match between Nigeria and Tanzania is scheduled for 18:30 (West African Time) on Tuesday, December 23rd.
Where can you watch the game on TV?
Channels: SuperSport, AfroSport, NTA, beIN Sports
Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa Utd), Amas Obasogie(Singida Black Stars), Francis Uzoho(Omonia)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias)
Forwards: Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961).
Nigeria's possible XI: Nwabali, Ajayi, Bassey, Alebiosu, Sanusi, Iwobi, Ndidi, Ejuke, Lookman, Onuachu, Osimhen
Tanzania squad
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 (Singida BS), Alphonse Mabula (Shamakhi), Wilson Nangu (Simba SC)
Midfielders: Novatus Miroshi (Goztepe), Kelvin Nashon (Pamba Jiji), Pascal Msindo (Azam FC), Ibrahim Abdulla (Young Africans), Haji Mnoga (Salford City), Dickson Job (Young Africans), Habibu Idd (Singida BS)
Forwards: Tarryn Allarakhia (Rochdale), Charles M'Mombwa (Floriana), Yusuph Kagoma (Simba SC), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Morice Abraham (Simba SC), Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC), Iddi Suleiman (Azam FC), Kibu Dennis (Simba SC), Ally Samatta (Le Havre), Kelvin John (Aalborg), Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba)
Tanzania's possible XI: Suleiman Y, Job, Hussein, Kapombe, Mwamnyeto, M'Mombwa, Miroshi, Msanga, Allarakhia, Suleiman A, John
Where is the match?
Fez Stadium, Fez
The Stadium is a multi-purpose venue located within the Fez Sports Complex in Fez, Morocco. Primarily used for football matches, the stadium also features athletics facilities. Originally built in 2003, it had an initial capacity of 45,000 spectators.
Fez Stadium will play a significant role in Morocco’s sporting ambitions, having been selected to host matches at both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Following recent renovations, its current seating capacity stands at approximately 35,468, with plans in place to expand the venue to 55,800 seats by 2028.
These upgrades form part of a wider urban regeneration project in Fez, which includes improved transport networks, expanded hotel infrastructure, and enhanced digital connectivity, further positioning the city as a growing hub for international sporting events.
What has been said ahead of the match?
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that both he and his players have moved past the disappointment of missing out on qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup and are now fully focused on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
"We are here and we have a game tomorrow and also we have a tournament so we don’t have the time to think about what has happened before," Chelle told the media.
"This is not the moment to talk about the World Cup qualifiers, for now the most important thing is this tournament.
"Our first game is a big game and the first game is very important and for sure we want to win this game."
On the other side, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars head coach, Manuel Gomandi, has expressed confidence in his squad, stating that his players are fully prepared to face the three-time African champions.
"We are very well prepared; we are excited to be part of this AFCON and we are more than ready for tomorrow’s game. We have a very difficult game but it’s a nice challenge for us,” the Argentine said.
"We need to be very careful, work in perfect situation and I’m sure my players will put in extra effort to contain the threat from Nigeria.
"We need to be realistic, when you see the qualities in the Nigeria team you need to put in more than 100 percent effort to try to neutralise them.
"But our mentality is to try to play and attack as well, we need to be tactically disciplined and there should not be any room for mistakes because if you don’t avoid such mistakes the qualities in the Nigerian team can punish you."
