Nigeria-Tanzania team news
New Le Havre striker Mbwana Samatta, who enjoyed a brief spell at Aston Villa in 2020 following an £8.5million move from Genk, has returned to the Tanzanian team as captain.
Defender Haji Mnoga, of English fourth division club Salford City, is among Samatta’s players operating abroad in a team that recruits largely from the Tanzanian domestic league.
Prolific Galatasaray striker and former Ballon d’Or contender Victor Osimhen will almost certainly be crucial if Nigeria are to challenge for the title.
Nigeria lost 11 points from 15 in World Cup qualifying while Osimhen was not involved, while Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Al-Kholood centre-back William Troost-Ekong and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi are also expected to prove influential.
Nigeria vs Tanzania predicted line-up
Nigeria starts on eleven: Starley Nationalle, Williai, Williai, William-Ekat-Ekins, Simi Ajayii, Calln Basey Bassey, Zead Saka, Frank Nus Alex Nuard Oiko, Violum, Samgia du Rediahor de Rediahoria.
Tanzania starting lineup: 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 vs Tanzania: TV channel, live streams online
Kick-off on Tuesday will be at 5:30 p.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT). In the UK, live coverage of CAN 2025 is broadcast on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channels. In the US, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Live online streaming is available on a wide range of devices via the Channel 4 website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Statistics Nigeria vs Tanzania
- Nigeria is participating in its 21st CAN finals and were winners in 1980, 1994 and 2013, as well as runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023.
- They finished in the top three in 13 of their last 15 CAN appearances and were eliminated in the group stage twice (1963, 1982).
- In tournaments held in North Africa, Nigeria has finished in the top three in five of its six appearances.
- They won 13 and lost five of their first 20 CAN matches.
- Chelle led Mali to the 2023 quarter-finals
- Tanzania are appearing for the fourth time, having first qualified in 1980 and returned in 2019.
- They qualified for the first time for successive editions but remained 10 CAN matches without a victory (3 draws, 7 defeats)
- Tanzania’s previous three opening finals matches were defeats, although they avoided defeats in two successive AFCON matches for the first time in 2023.
- A 0-0 draw against DR Congo in this tournament is their only clean sheet in the final.
- Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were their top scorers in qualifying with two goals each and are among the players aiming to improve on Tanzania’s one-goal return in their last four AFCON matches.
