Nigeria
23 Dec, 2025
18:30
Tanzania
Tanzania come into this match out of form, with seven games without a victory. That run includes five qualifiers and two friendlies against Iran and Kuwait, all ending in defeat.
Nigeria arrive in better shape, although it is worth noting three losses in the last ten matches, one of which came in a friendly just before AFCON against Egypt. Even so, recent performances remain more convincing than those of Tanzania.
In World Cup qualifiers, Tanzania have rarely conceded heavily, with all matches finishing under 2.5 goals. Defensive organisation is usually solid, but attacking output remains limited.
What we say
Nigeria to Win
The attacking trio of Lookman, Chukwueze, and Osimhen should prove too strong for a side that focuses on defending but struggles to create chances going forward. Nigeria possess superior quality and depth to overcome this opening challenge.
Head-to-head history supports a tight contest, as meetings in 2015 and 2016 ended 1:0 and 0:0 in Nigeria’s favour, but the overall quality gap suggests Nigeria can secure another victory here.