Nigeria host Tanzania on 13 November in Uyo in the qualifiers for AFCON 2027. But many Europe-based players will only join up with the camp after their club matches this weekend, according to The Sun Nigeria.
Nigeria welcome Tanzania on Friday 13 November at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Group L of the qualifiers for AFCON 2027. But the Super Eagles’ get-together is set to be a late one: according to The Sun Nigeria, many Nigeria players based in Europe will only link up with the camp after their club fixtures this weekend.
A situation that complicates preparations for Eric Chelle, the Nigeria head coach, just days before the match. With 3 points from two matches, the Super Eagles sit behind Guinea-Bissau (6 points) in Group L, following their 3-0 defeat in Bissau in September.
Tanzania to arrive five days before the match
While the Europe-based players fulfil their club commitments, the Tanzania delegation is due to arrive in Uyo as early as Sunday 8 November, five days before the match, according to The Sun Nigeria. Head coach Miguel Gamondi has named 24 players, including 12 based abroad and 12 from the domestic league.
The squad has already qualified for AFCON 2027: Tanzania, co-host of the tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda, is assured of a place. In Group L, however, they have yet to win, with a 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and a 1-1 draw with Madagascar.
Nigeria under pressure
For the Super Eagles, there is a double challenge. First, they must close the gap in the Group L table, where Guinea-Bissau have taken top spot with 6 points. Then they need to rediscover their defensive solidity: Nigeria have not kept a clean sheet in five matches, according to The Sun Nigeria.
The late arrival of the Europe-based players, with the source not naming any, is likely to reduce the collective training time available to Eric Chelle before kick-off.
The return match in Dar es Salaam
The two nations meet again four days later, on 17 November, in Dar es Salaam for the return leg. For Nigeria, every point counts in this group.
The two matches will therefore be played four days apart, the first in Uyo, the second in Dar es Salaam.