Tanzania head coach, Miguel Gamond has revealed his team's strategy for their opening match against Nigeria's Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Gamond emphasized that Tanzania will adopt an attacking mindset against the three-time champions.

"We are excited to participate in this AFCON, we are ready for tomorrow's game against Nigeria," Gamond said.

"It will be a very difficult, tough game but it's a very nice challenge for us. We need to work and try to neutralize Nigeria, but our mentality is to play, try to get the ball and attack as well."

By Olujimi Dare Ogun 

Nigeria's Super Eagles are looking to kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a win against Tanzania's Taifa Stars in Fès on Tuesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Coach Éric Chelle emphasized the importance of a strong start, saying, "This is a big game because this is the first game and the first game is very important. For sure, we want to win this game".

The three-time African champions are in Group C, alongside Tunisia and Uganda, with only the top two teams guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16.

Chelle's side will be without some key players, including Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredrick, due to injuries.

Tanzania, ranked 74 places below Nigeria in the FIFA standings, will be looking to cause an upset.

Their coach, Miguel Gamondi, warned his team about Nigeria's attacking prowess, saying, "The smallest mistake against this kind of team can punish you".

The other Group C match on Tuesday will see Tunisia take on Uganda.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun 

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen openly Appologised for the team's failure to secure a ticket from to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria in the African World Cup Playoff final lost to DR Congo on penalties comfirming Nigeria's absence at the World football fiesta for twice in a roll.

Osimhen as the three time African champions prepare for the 2025 African Cup of Nations in a Morroco claimed the African tournament provides the opportunity to correct their mistakes.

"This afcon is an opportunity for to right our wrong, to try to show make the Super Eagles fans all over the world believe that there is so much more we can give." Said the Galatasaray strike in an interview with Pooja Media.

"We are so sorry I have to use this opportunity to say we are so sorry for not getting the world cup ticket, I know the disappointment in the faces of alot of Nigerian fans.

"Life has happened so we have to keep it moving. This AFCON is opportunity for us to do well and try to make sure that we win the tournament." Osimhen concluded

By Olujimi Dare Ogun 

Tanzania head coach, Hemed Suleiman Ali says his team is ready to face the Super Eagles and their other Group C opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The East Africans are the lowest-ranked team in a group that also includes former champions Tunisia and Uganda, but Ali is undaunted.

"We are ready," he told Cafonline. "We saw who we are going to play with. I think it's a tough group, but it's tough for all of them. There is no easy group."

Ali acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed his determination to prepare his team for the task.

"If you have qualified for this stage of the competition, you have to prepare," he said. "We know who we are facing, and we know how we will prepare for them.

There is no other way, we have to prepare well and represent our people well at this tournament."

Tanzania will face Nigeria in their opening fixture at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on 23 December.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Former Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, laments the absence of Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, who he believes could have been a game-changer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Boniface, 23, sustained an injury during the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi, causing him to miss the tournament where Nigeria reached the final.

Peseiro had envisioned a strategic partnership between Boniface and Victor Osimhen upfront.

Despite his departure from the Super Eagles due to contract negotiations, Peseiro remains convinced that Nigeria could have clinched the AFCON trophy if Boniface had been fit to play.

”I will say that Boniface would have made the difference without injury,” he said in an interview in Portugal.

“He was very confident and can play comfortably in our two-man attacking style. He can also play on both sides of the strikers and that would have made him our invisible arc in the tournament.

“Our options to refine our style were limited in his absence.”

While Peseiro only stayed with the Super Eagles for 22 months. Boniface is expected to return to playing before the end of the month.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Jose Peseiro, the former head coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles, expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the sporting press for their unwavering support during his tenure, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Peseiro, who recently walked away from his role after his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expired, emphasized the importance of continuous backing for the national team.

During his two year stint, the Portuguese coach led the team to a commendable second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

https://twitter.com/josepeseiro/status/1765366643016835315?s=12

Peseiro, in a statement on his social media handle, urged Nigerians to rally behind the Super Eagles regardless of the circumstances, highlighting the players' dedication and sacrifices for the country.

As the NFF searches for his successor, Peseiro's parting message underscores the significance of sustained support for Nigeria's football endeavors.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Napoli's forward, Victor Osimhen, is poised to make his return to the club later this week, following Nigeria's 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Serie A champions have been without their top striker since early January and have indeed missed his presence in the team.

Italian news website, Football Italia claimed Osimhen will arrive back in Naples either on Friday or Saturday.

It remains uncertain whether he will feature in Serie A action against Genoa this weekend, with caretaker manager Walter Mazzarri possibly opting to reintegrate him into the squad for the upcoming Champions League clash against Barcelona next Wednesday.

Osimhen although, scored one goal in seven of the cup matches but his talismanic display was crucial to Nigeria’s successful route to the final.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi is reported to undeterred by the negative comments to was subjected to following Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost to Côte d’Ivoire in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathers.

Nigeria in the grand finale on Sunday, lost 2-1 to the host nation which resulted to some fans attacking the former Arsenal forward.

Iwobi in response to the cyber bullying, deleted all pictures on his official instagram page and also considering retiring from the national team.

Things look to be taking a positive turn with his teammates and the federation standing up for him.

Iwobi in all of this according to veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, is totally affected by the social media abuse and will not “hounded out by the opinions of people whose options don’t matter.”

https://twitter.com/osasuo/status/1757470079858471005?s=12

Iwobi is the seventh most capped Nigeria international of all time with 79 appearances for the Super Eagles.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Nigeria Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has urged fans to desist from the act of cyber bullying of Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi after the African Cup of Nations final loss, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Alex Iwobi became a subject of social media criticisms following Nigeria's defeat to host nation, Cote D'Ivoire on Sunday at the Alassane Quattara Stadium Ebimpe, Abidjan.

The Eagles lost 1-2 despite being in the lead in the first half and some quarters of the Nigerian fans have let out their frustrations on the Fulham player who was described to have a poor tournament even though the team reached the final of the AFCON.

Musa has now urged the fans to show some respect to Iwobi who gave his all for the nation through out the tournament.

He went further to describe the actions of the fans as unfair, asking them to show love rather than show negativity.

"Dear fans, I want to please urge you to halt the cyber-bullying directed towards Alex Iwobi. Cyber bullying is not just a violation of decency but also a serious crime. It's hypocritical to claim that football unites us while engaging in such behavior.

Losing a game is undoubtedly tough, but targeting a single player for the team's shortcomings is unfair and unjust. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. Alex gave his all on the field, just like every member of our squad.

Instead of spreading negativity, let's show genuine love and support to our players. They need our encouragement now more than ever. Let's uplift each other and stand united, both in victory and defeat. ???? THANKS" Musa's words on X.

https://twitter.com/PoojaMedia/status/1757120928436101380?t=1pLoEl3bo6BAYpVJiwe6rQ&s=19

Other players of the team like stand in captain, William Troost-Ekong, Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, Joe Aribo and the likes have come out in solidarity for Iwobi through their social media handles.

Uche Dozie 

Nigeria Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro has reacted after the defeat to host nation, Cote D'Ivoire in the final of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Elephants came back from a goal down to beat the Eagles 2-1 after dominating proceedings for most part of the encouounter.

Peseiro disclosed after the match at the post match conference that his team played second fiddle in the match, but he celebrates the performance of the team.

"Cote d'Ivoire was better. Our team didn't show/play to their level today. But I celebrate their overall tournament performance." Jose Pesiero said.

A header from Frank Kessie and Sébastien Haller's flick in the second half after William Troost-Ekong's header in the first half ensured a third title win for the host.

The outcome of the game means Nigeria has failed to win in 5 out of 8 finals of the AFCON.

Uche Dozie 

Nigeria Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has been named the player of the tournament for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Ekong had given Nigeria the lead in the first half of the final, but could not stop his side from losing in the final 2-1 to hosts, Cote D'Ivoire.

The central defender scored 3 times in the just concluded tournament and helped the Super Eagles to keep 4 clean sheets, considering 3 goals with his solid defense performance.

His goals proved decisive on a couple of occasions; first against Cote D'Ivoire in the group stage which helped the team's qualification chances while his second came against South Africa before today's goal.

Meanwhile, Ronwen Williams of South Africa was named as the Best Goalkeeper with 5 clean sheets at AFCON 2023, Equatorial Guinea's milio Nsue won the Golden Boot with 5 goals.

South Africa's Bafana Bafana won the Fair Play Team Award while the best young player of the tournament award was given to Simon Adingra of Cote D'Ivoire.

Uche Dozie 

Host nation, Cote D'Ivoire have emerged champions of the 2023 African Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria in the final on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire came from behind to defeat the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 at the Alassane Quattara Stadium Ebimpe to clinch their third African Cup of Nations title after 90 minutes.

After a dominating start by the host, the Super Eagles scored from their first corner kick after Ademola Lookman's cross was headed unto William Troost-Ekong who headed the ball into the net to give Nigeria the lead in the 38 minute.

At the commencement of the second half, the Cote D'Ivoire resumed with the ascendency of the first half and were rewarded with the equaliser through Frank Kessie's header in the 62nd minute.

The Ivorians maintained the momentum, pushing for the winner and it eventually came 10 minutes to the end of the game.

Sebastien Haller was alert to flick in Simon Adingra's cross which beat goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to give the hosts the lead and the winner at the sound of the final whistle.

The Elephants became the first hosts to win the title since Egypt in 2006, while the Super Eagles lost in an AFCON final for the 5th time.

Uche Dozie 

Emerse Fae's team is slight departure from the Ivorian team that played the 3-time champions in the group stages under Jean-Louis Gasset.

Odilon Kossounou starts at CB for Côte d'Ivoire after returning from suspension while Serge Aurier starts and captains the team replacing Singo.

The front of Krasso, Boga and Kouame who started the group match have been replaced over time by Haller, Adingra and Gradel.

Yahia Fofana will be at the goal post while Serge Aurier, Kossounou, Obite Ndicka and Ghislaine Konan lead the defense

Michael Seri, Frank Kessie, Seko Fofana hold the midfield while Max Gradel, Simon Adingra and Sebastien Haller will marshall the attack for Cote D'Ivoire in a 4-3-3 formation.

Uche Dozie 

With the final between the Super Eagles of  Nigeria and the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire almost at the corner, legendary football manager, Jose Mourihno has put his unwavering support behind Nigeria, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire already played in the group stage with the three time champions prevailing 1-0.

Mourihno claim revealed that Jose Peseiro (the Eagles head coach) has been is his best friend relishing their time in the university days and how he wished the 63 year-old become the first Portuguese coach to win the African Cup of Nations.

https://twitter.com/fiveuk/status/1756694850890559747?s=12

“My best friend in football is in the final. The Nigerian coach is my best friend. He grew up with me. We studied together, we went to the university together, the same day.” Mourihno said in an interview with FootballFive

“We spent five years together every day. We left the same he’s probably my biggest friend in football, Jose (Peseiro) is my big friend. And for him, a huge opportunity to make history because never has a Portuguese coach won the African cup.”

The high-stakes final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 pm on Sunday, February 11, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Coach Jose Peseiro has made a couple of changes to the Nigeria Super Eagles team that played in the semi final against South Africa in the African Cup of Nations going on in Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

FC Porto defender, Zaidu Sanusi has returned to the starting line up for the final against host nation Cote D'Ivoire after recovering from a minor injury prior to the last 4 clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Osayi-Bright who replaced him at the tie won by Nigeria on penalties was dropped to the bench while Simon Moses will start from the bench in the Sunday encounter as Jose Peseiro has decided to have Samuel Chukwueze start against the Elephants.

The Portuguese tactician stays with his 3-4-3 formation which has proven effective and efficient in seeing the Super Eagles reach the final.

Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey line up behind goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali while Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Zaidu Sanusi and Frank Onyeka take charge of the midfield.

The attacking force has Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.

The final match comes up at 9pm Nigeria time at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Sunday.

Uche Dozie

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stands to gain a significant windfall of Seven Million dollars ($7M) from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) should the Super Eagles emerge victorious in today's final clash against hosts Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The prestigious 2023 AFCON final will see the three-time African champions lock horns with the formidable Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire, with the triumphant team set to cash in on Seven Million dollars.

CAF has disclosed the prize money structure for participating nations in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

The eventual winner of AFCON 2023 will walk away with a hefty $7 million for clinching the coveted trophy, while the runners-up are poised to pocket $4 million. Additionally, the two losing semi-finalists (South Africa and DR Congo) will each be awarded $2.5 million.

Delving deeper into the prize breakdown, the four teams exiting at the quarter-final stage will each receive $1.3 million, while the eight teams eliminated in the round of 16 will be granted $800,000 apiece.

Furthermore, two teams that secure third place in their groups but fail to progress will still be entitled to $700,000 each. Meanwhile, the six teams finishing at the bottom of their respective groups are slated to receive $500,000 each.

The high-stakes final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 pm on Sunday, February 11, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

The Elephants star man Franck Kessié,  shares his thoughts ahead of Ivory Coast's highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The host nation, Ivory Coast, is set to lock horns with Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan this Sunday.

Despite Nigeria's prior 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in the group stage, the Ivorian team has turned their tournament around, securing three consecutive wins to reach the final.

Kessié acknowledges Nigeria's formidable strength as opponents and urges his teammates to maintain composure leading up to the final.

“We all know Nigeria is a very great football nation and a very good team," Kessié stated to beIN SPORTS.

“We were in the same group and we lost 1-0 unfortunately but we still have a match on Sunday so as I emphasized earlier today we are going to remain calm. We are going to savour our victory and from tomorrow with the help of the technical staff we will work and we will think about the final."

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Super Eagles' head coach, Jose Peseiro, has lavished praise on Ahmed Musa for his exemplary leadership qualities and selfless dedication to the team's cause, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Despite not featuring on the pitch during the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire, Musa's impact as captain has been lauded by Peseiro.

https://twitter.com/oganlamedia/status/1756280337737367787?s=12

In a media interaction ahead of the AFCON final, Peseiro highlighted Musa's invaluable contributions behind the scenes, emphasizing his role in fostering unity and morale within the squad.

“Musa is an important player for us, even if he hasn't played any game. He has not complained or caused any problems," Peseiro remarked.

The coach emphasized Musa's readiness to offer support and guidance to his teammates, drawing from his wealth of experience and previous AFCON campaigns.

“He is the star of the team and commands a lot of respect from his teammates," Peseiro added.

Despite his absence on the field, Musa's influence off the pitch underscores the significance of leadership beyond performance metrics, as the Super Eagles aim for glory in the AFCON final.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Ahead of the highly anticipated AFCON 2023 final game between Super Eagles and host nation, Cote d'Ivoire, the captain of Nigeria Ahmed Musa has said that it would be a big day in his life if they end up been crowned as champions tomorrow, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

"If we win the tournament tomorrow, it will be a big day in my life because in Nigeria, only me and Kenneth Omeruo, two players that have won the AFCON two times and may his soul rest in peace, our dead coach, two times as a coach".

"For me as I always say whenever I get the invitation to the National team, I will always honor it even when I stop playing football but I'm still active till now".

"For the team, we have more focus for tomorrow, that's more important than anything", he concluded.

The Super Eagles, who failed to win any of their two opening matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in November, and lost 0-2 to Guinea in a friendly in Abu Dhabi five days to the opening match of the AFCON, are unbeaten at this championship and will start as favourites against an Ivorian side that has miraculously found itself at this end of the rope.

On Sunday, there will be 60,000 fans at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpé, but it is the team that wants it more that will drink from the Cup.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola 

The 2023 African Cup of Nations final between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the hosts, the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire will be officiated by Mauritania’s Beida Dahane, Nigeriasoccernet.com can confirm.

Dahane, 32 has officiated in the Champions League and other CAF tournament, he was the 4th official for Angola's Martins de Carvalho who was the arbiter in Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B game against Guinea.

He leads out in the crucial clash on Sunday after he was the centre referee in the group opener between Egypt and Mozambique before he officiated the round of 16 encounter between Angola and Namibia in the ongoing tournament.

He will now be at the centre of things as 2 West African Power Houses seek to increase the number times they have won the title with Cote D'Ivoire seeking to equal Nigeria's 3 title while Nigeria will seek to equal Ghana's 4.

He will be assisted by Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos from Angola as assistant referee I and Diana Chicotesha as assistant referee II while Karboui Bouchra of Morocco will serve as the 4th official in the encounter.

Mahmoud Ashour will be the head of the Video Assistant Referee and will be assisted by Rivet Maria Pakuita.

Uche Dozie