Nigeria vs Tanzania Prediction: A walk in the park for the Eagles

Nigeria vs Tanzania: Prediction and odds on the Match on 23 December 2025

Nigeria and Tanzania will begin their AFCON 2025 Group C campaign at the Fez Stadium on Tuesday. Tanzania are without an AFCON win in the history of the nation and have failed to score in six of their last eight AFCON encounters. Can they make history against the Super Eagles? Below, you will find the team news, possible starting lineup, head-to-head statistics, interesting facts, betting tips, and odds.

Nigeria: form and statistics

Still fresh from their disappointing exit from World Cup qualification, after losing on penalties to DR Congo, Nigeria will be all out for redemption. They know fully well that one of the things that will help their fans forget the pain of not making it to the World Cup is winning the African Cup of Nations. No doubt, they are one of the favourites to win it, but their recent 2-1 loss to Egypt in a friendly game in preparation for AFCON showed how unpredictable this side can be. Nevertheless, their attacking players need commendation, having scored 13 goals in their last six games. However, they need to improve at the back to increase the chance of the toping this group.

Nigeria: Team News and Injury Report

In preparation for this tournament, the Most Valuable Player of the last AFCON and the former captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong, announced his retirement from international football. While some labelled the retirement as too early and unhealthy for the team, the former skipper said it was the right time for him to step aside. To put salt in the wound, the long-term replacement for Troost-Ekong, and Brentford-bound defender, Benjamin Fredrick, got injured, leaving Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi as the first choice in the heart of the defence. Ola Aina will also be a notable absence from the team due to the hamstring injured he got against South Africa. Wilfred Ndidi will now lead the team in Morocco.

🔖 Nigeria possible starting lineup (4-3-3) 

Goalkeeper — Stanley Nwabali

Defenders — Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel

Midfielders — Raphael Onyedika, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi

Attacker — Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze

👤 Head coach: Eric Chelle

Tanzania: form and statistics

Tanzania enter this tournament as one of the underdogs and will want to fight for the best third-place team in Group C, just behind Nigeria and Tunisia. They enter this competition, winless in their last seven games, including six losses. But they are aware they need to secure a win as early as possible to give themselves the chance to create history. They have qualified for the AFCON four times but have not advanced past the group stage in any of their appearances. Against the Super Eagles, who have the most valuable team on African soil, they will likely work on their defensive strength and deploy a counterattack strategy to strike.

Tanzania: Team News and Injury Report

Tanzania enter this tournament with no injury concerns and will hope to make as much history as possible. On the positive side, the team will have Simon Msuva back after previously missing international duties in the previous months. He is the most experienced player on the team, and he is on the run for his 100th cap for the nation.

🔖 Tanzania possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1) 

Goalkeeper — Yakoub Suleiman Ali

Defenders — Pascal Msindo, Ibrahim Hamad, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Lusajo Mwaikenda

Midfielders — Novatus Miroshi, Tarryn Allarakhia, Morice Abraham, Feisal Salum, Charles M'Mombwa

Attacker — Kelvin John

👤 Head coach: Miguel Gamondi

Nigeria vs Tanzania: head-to-head statistics

Nigeria and Tanzania have met a total of five times, with Nigeria winning three matches and the other two ending in draws. The last time the two sides met was in the 2017 AFCON qualifier, when Nigeria won 1-0, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the only goal.

Nigeria vs Tanzania: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tanzania are without an AFCON win in the history of the nation and have failed to score in six of their last eight AFCON encounters. A win for Nigeria is priced at 1.481 odds on 1xBet;
• The last four games between the two sides ended in fewer than two goals. 1xBet offers 1.798 odds for the game to see fewer than three goals;
• Tanzania have conceded in their last six games, while Nigeria have scored in their last 13 games. 1xBet offers 1.69 odds for Nigeria to score at least two goals in the game.

Nigeria vs Tanzania match prediction, 23 December 2025

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are undoubtedly one of the best teams in Africa, and despite their recent setbacks, they are a threat to any team they meet. They have a good head-to-head record against Tanzania, but seven of their last eight games have ended in a first-half draw. So, I think this game will follow the trends in their head-to-head and in the Eagles' form.

Our match prediction: Under 2.5 goals at a coefficient of 1.70 in the Bc.Game bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: Total 2: Under 0.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.75 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our final betting tip on the match: Both teams to score –NO at a coefficient of 1.60 in the Betway bookmaker.