Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has expressed belief that his side can secure a historic first victory at the Africa Cup of Nations when they face Nigeria in their Group C opener at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
The Taifa Stars have never won a match at the AFCON, having featured in three previous editions—1980, 2019 and 2023—without recording a victory.
Tuesday’s encounter against the Super Eagles at the Complexe Sportif de Fès will mark Tanzania’s 10th match at the continental showpiece as they continue their search for a maiden win.
It will be only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania, coming 45 years after their first encounter. At the 1980 tournament, hosted by Nigeria, the Super Eagles defeated the Taifa Stars 3–1 in the opening match.
Their most recent competitive meetings were 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.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Gamondi acknowledged Nigeria’s pedigree but insisted his team would not be overawed.
“It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing and dreaming,” the Argentine coach said. “If you don’t have a dream, it doesn’t make sense to sleep too much. I respect Nigeria a lot, but in football anything is possible. We are here to make a good performance.”
Gamondi admitted the Super Eagles are favourites but maintained that Tanzania still have a chance.
“I’m very realistic about the possibilities. Maybe Nigeria have 99 per cent, but you never know,” he added.
“I am confident we can do something. If we do what we need to do and are able to win, beating Nigeria would feel like winning the AFCON for us, especially at the start of the tournament.”
After their opening match against Nigeria, Tanzania will face Uganda in their second Group C fixture on Friday before concluding their group campaign against Tunisia next Tuesday.
Tanzania made their AFCON debut in 1980 in Nigeria, where they lost all three group matches to Nigeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast.
They returned to the tournament in 2019 under former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke but again exited without a win after defeats to Senegal, Kenya and Algeria.
At the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, the Taifa Stars showed signs of progress, drawing against Zambia and DR Congo after an opening loss to Morocco, and will be hoping to finally break their winless run in Morocco.
