Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have arrived in Uyo ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Nigeria, giving the visitors time to settle before their Matchday Three meeting with the Super Eagles.
The Tanzanian delegation landed at Victor Attah International Airport on Tuesday morning before proceeding to their hotel after completing immigration formalities.
Head coach Miguel Gamondi’s team are scheduled to train at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium later in the evening as they continue preparations for the encounter. Their early arrival is intended to give the players sufficient time to acclimatise before facing Nigeria.
But while the visitors have begun their preparations, the Super Eagles are also working towards a fixture that carries considerable importance for their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Chelle names 24-man Super Eagles squad
Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle announced a 24-man squad on Saturday, November 7, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey among the leading names selected.
The squad also features the return of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, while Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has received a maiden invitation. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf, Samson Tijani and Mubarak Suleiman are also included in the midfield options.
Victor Osimhen, Maduka Okoye and Kelechi Iheanacho are among the notable players missing from the selection, while Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka have also been left out.
Chelle has selected three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards for the two matches against Tanzania.
Full Super Eagles squad for Tanzania
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille, France), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy), Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague, Czechia).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Akor Adams (Venezia, Italy), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, Netherlands), Moses Usor (LASK, Austria), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England).
Tanzania lose two players to injury
Tanzania will also be without two members of their original squad for the double-header after Young Africans duo Clement Mzize and Dickson Job were ruled out through injury.
The Tanzania Football Federation’s Media and Communication Director, Clifford Ndimbo, confirmed that the players had been allowed to remain at their club for treatment after Yanga communicated their medical situation to the federation.
Both players had spent considerable time out through injury and had only recently returned to action.
Gamondi had initially named a 24-man squad for the two fixtures, drawing heavily from the Tanzanian domestic league. Young Africans and Azam FC supplied five players each, while the foreign-based selections included Novatus Miroshi of Göztepe, Cyprian Kachwele of Kryvbas and Bernard Kamungo of FC Dallas.
Super Eagles under pressure to respond
Friday’s encounter will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria head into the match with three points from their opening two Group L fixtures. They began with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar before suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau.
The results leave the Super Eagles second in the group, three points behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have won both of their opening matches. Madagascar have one point, while Tanzania are also on one point after losing to Guinea-Bissau and drawing with Madagascar.
Tanzania have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. Their remaining qualifying fixtures therefore provide an opportunity to test their squad and build towards the tournament, while Nigeria are competing for the group’s remaining qualification place.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, November 17, when Tanzania host the Super Eagles at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar.
