Nigeria’s Super Eagles will kick off their campaign for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title against Tanzania in their Group C opener on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The encounter, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nigerian time at the Fez Stadium in Fes, marks the first meeting between both sides since 1980.
Nigeria head into the tournament seeking redemption after finishing as runners-up at the last AFCON, where they surrendered a first-half lead to lose 2–1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final. The Eagles are also hoping to bounce back from recent disappointments in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where a series of draws and defeats eventually ended their qualification hopes.
Although the Super Eagles appear clear favourites on paper, they are expected to approach the game with caution, having recently suffered a narrow defeat to Egypt in a pre-tournament friendly.
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars are making their fifth AFCON appearance but are yet to progress beyond the group stage in their previous four outings. The team is also using the tournament as part of preparations ahead of the next AFCON, which they will co-host with Uganda and Kenya.
However, Tanzania arrive in poor form, having failed to win their last seven matches, recording two draws and five defeats, including a recent World Cup qualifying loss to Zambia. They also suffered a 4–3 defeat to Kuwait in an international friendly.
Nigeria boast a star-studded squad led by Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, while Tanzania will look to the experience and creativity of Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum to pose a threat.
Match details:
Fixture: Nigeria vs Tanzania
Competition: AFCON 2025 (Group C)
Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. (Nigerian time)
Venue: Fez Stadium, Fes
TV: CAF TV
