Tanzania full squad is now complete in Uyo after the remaining members of the Taifa Stars arrived on Wednesday, leaving Miguel Gamondi with his full group for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Super Eagles.
Leadership reports that the visitors, who touched down in Uyo on Tuesday with two players still to come, welcomed the rest of their party on Wednesday and will train as a complete squad on Wednesday evening at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the venue for Friday’s match.
A State Football Association official confirmed the development, saying: “The team is complete and will join the training this Wednesday evening at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.”
Akwa Ibom Football Association chairman Samuel Umoh also confirmed that both teams have now completed their squads, and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations for the match.
Tanzania full squad completes ahead of evening training
The first batch of the Tanzanian delegation — 22 players and officials — landed at the Victor Attah International Airport at about 8.10am on Tuesday, and was received and taken to its hotel to check in, have breakfast and rest before training.
Leadership had reported on Tuesday that the full contingent would comprise 24 players and 17 officials once the remaining members arrived, and the second batch landed on Wednesday as planned.
The Taifa Stars held their first training session in Uyo on Tuesday evening, and the Wednesday evening session will be their first as a complete squad, two days before kick-off.
Tanzania’s preparations have already been disrupted once. Clement Mzize and Dickson Job were withdrawn from the squad through injury and stayed behind at Young Africans to continue treatment, with Azam FC winger Iddi Seleman Nado called up as their replacement. Nado travelled with the delegation that left for Uyo on Monday.
What Tanzania’s full squad means for Friday in Uyo
The visitors arrive in Uyo with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Tanzania are already assured of a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts, so the qualifiers are competitive preparation for their home tournament — and a free hit against a Nigeria side under real pressure.
The Taifa Stars have made that clear themselves. Federation official Almasi Kasongo told reporters after the team’s arrival that they are not intimidated by the Super Eagles, saying: “We are not scared. Football is a game of 90 minutes. We know the quality of Nigeria’s players and their pedigree. We are well prepared.”
Group L’s arithmetic explains the difference in pressure. Nigeria are second on three points after beating Madagascar 2-1 and losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau, while Tanzania are bottom on one point after a 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and a 1-1 draw with Madagascar. With Tanzania already through as hosts, the other three nations are chasing the group’s one remaining qualification place.
Super Eagles also at full strength as Tanzania full squad completes
Nigeria, for their part, also have a full camp. All 24 Super Eagles players are now in Uyo after the final seven checked in on Wednesday, and the team held its first training session on Tuesday evening with 17 players.
The Super Eagles train again on Wednesday evening, with only the first 15 minutes open to members of the media, and head coach Eric Chelle will address journalists at the official pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Friday’s first leg kicks off at 5pm WAT at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with the return leg on Tuesday 17 November at 2pm WAT at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC0) — collage by SportsBuddy
