Nigeria vs Tanzania Prediction & Betting Tips (23 December)

Winner of the African Cup of Nations three times in its history (1980, 1994 and 2013), Nigeria is a leader of the Continent. During the last edition played in 2023, this juggernaut had a very good run but fell in the final against the organizing country, Cote d'Ivoire 1-2. In order to qualify for this CAN 2025, the Super Eagles enforced the hierarchy to take 1st place in Group D, ahead of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. On the other hand, they experienced great disillusionment last November. Forced to go through the qualifying play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria first dominated Gabon 4-1 after extra time before seeing its World Cup dreams disappear against the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-1, elimination following penalties. On Tuesday, Nigeria played and lost a friendly match in Egypt 2-1 but the Eagles were diminished. Not really used to shining on the international scene, Tanzania will only play the 4th African Cup of Nations in its history after 1980, 2019 and 2023.

It has not yet won a single match in this competition. During the qualifications for this 2025 edition, the Taifa Stars finished in 2nd place in their group, behind the Democratic Republic of Congo. They made the difference during the last two days with successes against Ethiopia 0-2 and Guinea 1-0. Engaged in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup subsequently, Tanzania did not create the feat and was beaten by Morocco and Niger in group E. The selection will therefore not play the first World Cup in its history. Last November, Tanzania lost two hard-fought friendly matches against Iran 2-0 and Kuwait 4-3. 

Coach Eric Chelle has drawn up his list of players for Nigeria. We can point out the non-calls of goalkeeper Okoye (Udinese, 18 sel), midfielders Yusuf (New England Revolution, 8 sel) and Uche (Crystal Palace, 3 sel) or even attackers Boniface (Werder Bremen, 1 goal in 12 sel), Moffi (Nice, 4 goals in 19 sel), Iheanacho (Celtic, 15 goals in 57 sel), Arokodare (Wolverhampton, 2 goals in 10 sel) and Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, 2 goals in 10 sel). In addition, defenders Aina (Nottingham Forest, 48 sel) and Agu (Werder Bremen, 1 sel) were forced to withdraw while captain Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, 83 sel) announced his international retirement. There remains quality among the Super Eagles who rely in particular on the essential Osimhen (Galatasaray, 31 goals in 45 sels), who could be supported by Iwobi (Fulham, 10 goals in 91 sels), Chukwueze (Fulham, 7 goals in 51 sels) and Lookman (Atalanta, 8 goals in 34 sels). Midfielder Ndidi (Besiktas, 71 sel) serves as a manager as do defenders Bassey (Fulham, 37 sel) and Sanusi (Porto, 26 sel). Absent on Tuesday during the friendly match lost to Egypt, Osimhen and former Nantes player Moses Simon (Paris FC) will be available this time. Tanzania obviously displays less quality in its squad.

Present in November, the attackers Mwalimu (Simba, 1 goal in 5 selections) and Peter (JKT, 2 selections) were not called up. This is also the case for the Yahya milieu (Young Africans, 39 sel). The group is largely made up of elements playing in the weak domestic league. We can still point out the presence of the important midfielder Miroshi (Göztepe, 31 sel) and the striker Samatta (Le Havre, 22 goals in 85 sel). Midfielder Salum (Azam, 4 goals in 57 seasons) and winger Msuva (Al-Talaba, 24 goals in 99 seasons) should also play an important role in this Africa Cup of Nations.