Tanzania have sent the Super Eagles a blunt message hours before kick-off in Uyo: the Taifa Stars have no fear of Nigeria. The Tanzania no fear Super Eagles declaration came from Tanzania Football Federation official Almasi Kasongo, who insisted the visitors will not be intimidated by Nigeria’s pedigree when the two sides meet in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with kick-off at 5pm WAT.
The declaration was first reported by Sporting Tribune.
Nigeria go into the game needing maximum points to revive a stuttering qualifying campaign, but Tanzania have made it clear they have not travelled to Uyo to make up the numbers. Our preview of the tie sets out why Eric Chelle’s side cannot afford another slip — and the visitors’ defiance only raises the stakes.
Tanzania no fear Super Eagles: ‘We are not scared’
Kasongo spoke to journalists after the Tanzanian squad arrived in Uyo on Monday, and he did not hide behind diplomatic language. “We are not scared. Football is a game of 90 minutes. We know the quality of Nigeria’s players and their pedigree,” he said.
He added that Tanzania have prepared well and have players at home and abroad who can handle the assignment. The message from the Taifa Stars camp is simple: they have come to compete and get a result.
Double injury blow for Gamondi
Tanzania’s defiance comes despite arriving two key men short. Head coach Miguel Gamondi will be without Young Africans duo Clement Mzize and Dickson Job, who were left behind when the delegation travelled to Nigeria.
Federation director of media and communications Clifford Ndimbo confirmed both players were allowed to remain with Young Africans to continue treatment after only recently returning from injury lay-offs. Their absence leaves Gamondi with 22 players for the double-header, with Azam FC winger Iddi Seleman Nado called up as their replacement. Before the withdrawals, the squad comprised 12 home-based professionals and 12 foreign-based players.
What is at stake in Uyo
For Nigeria, Friday is close to must-win. Chelle has demanded six points from the double-header, and his side have only three from their opening two Group L matches — a 2-1 win over Madagascar followed by a 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau — leaving them second behind the group leaders.
Tanzania have just one point from two games, a 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and a 1-1 draw with Madagascar, but they are already assured of a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. That freedom, Chelle has warned, makes them dangerous: they have nothing to lose. Thursday’s 1-1 draw between Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau also kept the group wide open.
History favours the hosts. Nigeria have won seven and drawn four of the 11 previous meetings with Tanzania, including a 2-1 win in the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. But the visitors’ message is clear: pedigree counts for nothing over 90 minutes.
The return leg is in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 17 November. For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions. Chelle named a 24-man squad for the double-header, with Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze both ruled out through injury.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — Godswill Akpabio Stadium photo by Hadassah Photostorie group; collage by SportsBuddy.
