Tanzania have never won a match at the Africa Cup of Nations, but head coach Miguel Gamondi believes their long wait for a maiden victory at the continental tournament could come to an end against Nigeria when both sides meet at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco on Tuesday.
The Taifa Stars have appeared at three editions of the competition—1980, 2019, and 2023—playing nine matches without recording a win. Their Group C opener against the Super Eagles will therefore mark their 10th AFCON appearance as they continue the search for a historic breakthrough.
The encounter at the Complexe Sportif de Fès will be just the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania, 45 years after their first clash at the tournament. That meeting took place in 1980 on Nigerian soil, where the Super Eagles secured a 3–1 victory in the opening match of the competition.
The two sides last met during the qualifiers for the 2017 AFCON, with a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam before Nigeria claimed a narrow 1–0 win in the return fixture in Uyo on September 3, 2016.
Speaking ahead of the match, Gamondi expressed belief in his team’s chances despite Nigeria’s pedigree.
“It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing and dreaming,” he said during his pre-match press conference. “I respect Nigeria a lot, but in football anything is possible. We are here to make a good performance.”
The Argentine coach acknowledged Nigeria’s strength but maintained that Tanzania would approach the game with confidence.
“I’m very realistic about the possibilities. Maybe Nigeria have 99 percent, but you never know,” he added. “If we are able to win, beating Nigeria would feel like winning the AFCON for us, especially at the start of the tournament.”
Following their opener against Nigeria, Tanzania will face Uganda in their second Group C fixture on Friday before rounding off the group stage 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 after a 39-year absence under the guidance of Emmanuel Amuneke but again exited without a win, losing to Senegal, Kenya, and Algeria.
At the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, the Taifa Stars showed signs of improvement, drawing against Zambia and DR Congo after an opening defeat to Morocco.
