Line-ups, stats, preview at AFCON 2025
Nigeria v Tanzania team news
New Le Havre forward Mbwana Samatta, who had a brief spell at Aston Villa in 2020 following an £8.5 million move from Genk, is back in Tanzania’s squad as captain.
Defender Haji Mnoga, of English fourth-tier club Salford City, is among Samatta’s fellow players operating overseas in a squad largely recruiting from Tanzania’s domestic league.
Prolific Galatasaray forward and former Ballon d’Or contender Victor Osimhen is almost certain to be crucial if Nigeria are to challenge for the title.
Nigeria dropped 11 points out of 15 in World Cup qualifying when Osimhen was not involved, while Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Al-Kholood centre-back William Troost-Ekong and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi are also likely to prove influential.
Nigeria v Tanzania predicted line-ups
Nigeria starting XI: Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman
Tanzania starting XI: Yakoub Suleiman, Haji Mnoga, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Tarryn Allarakhia, Pascal Msindo, Charles M’Mombwa, Yusuph Kagoma, Habibu Idd, Feisal Salum, Mbwana Samatta, Kelvin John
How to watch Nigeria v Tanzania: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 17:30 GMT (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Nigeria v Tanzania stats
- Nigeria are appearing at their 21st AFCON finals and were winners in 1980, 1994 and 2013, as well as being runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023
- They have finished in the top three in 13 of their last 15 AFCON appearances and been eliminated in the group stage twice overall (1963, 1982)
- In tournaments hosted in North Africa, Nigeria have finished inside the top three in five of their six appearances
- They have won 13 and lost five of their 20 opening AFCON matches
- Chelle led Mali to the 2023 quarter-finals
- Tanzania are appearing for a fourth time, having first qualified in 1980 and returned in 2019
- They have qualified for successive editions for the first time but are 10 AFCON matches without a win (D3 L7)
- All three of Tanzania’s previous opening games at the finals have been defeats, although they avoided losses in two successive AFCON matches for the first time in 2023
- A 0–0 draw with DR Congo at that tournament is their only clean sheet at the finals
- Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were their joint-top scorers in qualifying with two goals each and are among the players aiming to improve upon Tanzania’s return of one goal across their last four AFCON matches
