Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, has issued a challenge to the Taifa Stars to take advantage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and make history, beginning with a crucial match against Nigeria.
Tanzania faces further pressure in the Group C match, which is set for December 23 at the Fez Stadium in Morocco. 46 years after their first encounter, this will only be the two countries’ second AFCON group-stage match. Nigeria prevailed 3-1 in that previous encounter, which took place on March 8, 1980, at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere.
Kabudi urged the players to approach the competition with discipline, solidarity, and a strong feeling of national pride during his speech during the formal national flag transfer ceremony in Cairo.
Tanzania advanced unbeaten to the quarterfinals of the Africa Nations Championship. That set a record and was momentous for our nation. Kabudi stated, “I implore you to fight hard and create history at AFCON once more.”
Tanzania and Nigeria have met five times overall, in all competitions. Nigeria has won three of their meetings; the other two were in draws.
In addition to Nigeria, Tanzania’s joint effort will usher in a new era of rivalry in East Africa. For the first time, they will play Uganda in an AFCON group stage. After 22 games between the neighbors, Uganda has won 13 of them, while Tanzania has only won five.
Tanzania will play Tunisia, a well-known foe who defeated them 1-0 in their most recent encounter during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, to complete their Group C matches.
Additionally, Kabudi affirmed that the government will clearly support the Moroccan team. In order to build morale and make sure the players experience the full support of the country as they pursue a historic campaign, he disclosed that Deputy Minister Paul Makonda and other top officials will travel with the squad.
