Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has revealed plans to curb Nigeria’s marauding attack when both sides clash in their opening Group C fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The encounter in Fez will be only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania, coming 45 years after their first clash at the tournament. In 1980, both teams met in the opening match of the 12th AFCON at the National Stadium, Lagos, where Nigeria secured a 3–1 victory en route to lifting the trophy for the first time.
Their most recent meetings came during qualification for the 2017 AFCON, with a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam followed by a 1–0 win for Nigeria in Uyo on September 3, 2016.
Ahead of today’s showdown, Gamondi—who took charge of the Taifa Stars barely a month before the tournament—acknowledged the threat posed by Nigeria’s star-studded frontline, led by striker Victor Osimhen.
“We have tactical plans to try and neutralise Osimhen, but the collective importance is not only him,” Gamondi said during his pre-match press conference. “You also have players like Chukwueze and Lookman. They move very well with the ball, so we must be aware of our positioning on the pitch. I’m not the type of coach who focuses on just one individual.”
He added, “The quality of the player defines the situation, and Osimhen is the reference point in Nigeria’s attack. But we also need to take care of players coming from the second line. That is the job we need to do.”
Gamondi further admitted Nigeria’s strength across all departments, stressing that his players must deliver near-perfection to compete.
“When you see the quality Nigeria possess, you need to give more than 100 per cent. The smallest mistake can be punished by these types of players,” he said. “Our mentality is to play, recover the ball and try to attack. If we can avoid mistakes, we can do something good.”
The Tanzanian coach will also rely on the experience of captain Mbwana Samatta, who plays for Greek club PAOK, and forward Simon Msuva, one of the team’s most seasoned players.
Msuva returns to the squad after missing the October and November international windows and remains the most capped player in the team. An appearance on Tuesday would mark his 100th international cap.
Defender Mohamed Hussein provides solidity at the back, while youngster Haji Mnoga, who plays for Aldershot Town, is also included in the squad.
Read the full article here
