Gamondi Optimistic As Tanzania Face Nigeria In AFCON Opener

Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has expressed confidence that his side could finally secure their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory when they face Nigeria at the 2025 tournament in Morocco on Tuesday.

The Taifa Stars are yet to record a win in AFCON history, having featured in three editions of the competition in 1980, 2019 and 2023 without success. Their Group C opener against the Super Eagles will mark their 10th match at the continental showpiece as they continue the search for a historic breakthrough.

Tuesday’s clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès will be only the second AFCON meeting between both countries, coming 45 years after their first encounter.

In 1980, on Nigerian soil, the Super Eagles defeated Tanzania 3–1 in the opening match of the tournament.

Their most recent meetings came during the qualifiers for the 2017 AFCON, with a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam before Nigeria edged the return leg 1–0 in Uyo on September 3, 2016.

Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s pedigree, Gamondi was optimistic that his team has every reason to believe in their victory.

“It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing,” the Argentine said at his pre-match press conference. “If you don’t have a dream, there’s no reason to sleep too much. I respect Nigeria a lot, but in football anything is possible. We are here to make a good performance.”

While conceding that Nigeria remain favourites, Gamondi stressed that Tanzania are not approaching the match with a defeatist mindset.

After the opener against Nigeria, the Taifa Stars will face Uganda on Friday before concluding their Group C campaign against Tunisia next Tuesday.

Tanzania made their AFCON debut in 1980 in Nigeria, losing all three group matches to Nigeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast.

They returned to the tournament in 2019 under former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke after a 39-year absence, but again exited without a win following defeats to Senegal, Kenya and Algeria.

At the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, however, the Taifa Stars showed signs of progress, drawing against Zambia and DR Congo after an opening loss to hosts Morocco — a performance that fuels their belief ahead of another shot at history.