Sports

AFCON 2025: Tanzania Plot to Stop Osimhen but Fear Nigeria’s Attacking Depth

Published

4 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

Victor Osimhen

AFCON 2025: Tanzania Plot to Stop Osimhen but Fear Nigeria’s Attacking Depth

Tanzania head coach Manuel Gomandi has revealed that his team has devised a tactical plan to neutralise Victor Osimhen ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 group-stage clash against Nigeria, while admitting that the Super Eagles’ attacking depth poses a major challenge.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on the eve of the encounter, Gomandi said Tanzania’s preparations have focused on limiting the influence of Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, but warned that the Super Eagles possess multiple attacking threats capable of deciding the game.

“We have for sure a tactical plan to try to neutralise Victor Osimhen, but it’s not only him,” Gomandi said. “You have players like Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman. If one is neutralised, the other is attacking.”

READ ALSO:

Nigeria, one of the favourites for the AFCON 2025 title, head into the Group C match with a powerful frontline known for pace, creativity and physicality — qualities Gomandi admitted leave little margin for error for Tanzania.

“Our mentality is to try to play and attack as well,” he added. “We need to be tactically disciplined, and there should not be any room for mistakes, because if you don’t avoid such mistakes, the qualities in the Nigerian team can punish you.”

Despite acknowledging the difficulty of the task, the Tanzanian coach expressed confidence in his squad’s readiness, describing the fixture as a challenge his players are eager to face.

“We are more than ready for tomorrow’s game. We have a very difficult match, but it’s a nice challenge for us,” Gomandi said.

The Group C encounter will see Tanzania attempt to contain Nigeria’s attacking firepower while executing their own offensive strategy, as both teams aim to make a strong early statement at the ongoing AFCON 2025 tournament.

AFCON 2025: Tanzania Plot to Stop Osimhen but Fear Nigeria’s Attacking Depth

Related Topics:AFCON 2025 Nigeria Osimhen Tanzania

Up Next

Super Eagles Receive National Honours, Houses, Land Grants from President Tinubu

Don't Miss

Nigeria Retains 38th Spot in FIFA Men’s World Rankings, Fifth in Africa

Sports

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Former African football icon Yaya Touré has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the most impressive team at AFCON 2025, praising their attacking quality, discipline and consistency throughout the tournament in Morocco.

The former Ivory Coast captain said Nigeria stood out among the continent’s best despite failing to reach the final, noting that the Super Eagles combined exciting attacking football with strong organisation at the back. According to Touré, Nigeria’s style of play and overall impact made them his top performers at the tournament.

READ ALSO:

Under head coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign, winning the majority of their matches and emerging as one of the highest-scoring teams at the competition. Nigeria reached the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to hosts Morocco on penalties, before defeating Egypt to secure the bronze medal.

Touré’s praise adds to the growing recognition Nigeria has received following AFCON 2025. The team’s impressive run also contributed to an improvement in their FIFA ranking, reinforcing optimism around the squad ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

As celebrations continue back home, Touré’s endorsement has further strengthened the belief that the Super Eagles are firmly back among Africa’s elite football nations, with a promising future on both the continental and global stage.

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Sports

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid delivered a ruthless performance to thrash AS Monaco 6–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, sending a strong statement in the UEFA Champions League and easing pressure after recent domestic setbacks.

The French superstar wasted no time against his former club, opening the scoring early before adding a second inside the first half to take his Champions League goals tally into double figures this season. His sharp finishing set the tone for a dominant night in Madrid.

Vinícius Júnior was equally influential, tormenting the Monaco defence with pace and creativity. The Brazilian capped his display with a fine goal and an assist, while Jude Bellingham added his name to the scoresheet late on as Madrid ran riot.

READ ALSO:

Further goals came through teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono and a Thilo Kehrer own goal, highlighting Monaco’s defensive collapse. The visitors managed only a consolation strike, offering little resistance as Madrid controlled possession and tempo throughout.

The emphatic victory lifts Real Madrid into a strong position in the Champions League standings, keeping them firmly on course for automatic qualification to the knockout stage. For Monaco, the heavy defeat leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.

The result also marks a positive start under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with Madrid fans buoyed by one of the club’s most complete performances of the season as the race for European glory intensifies.

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Sports

Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is already taking shape, with Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé emerging as early front-runners for football’s most prestigious individual award. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now past their peak, the field is wide open for new stars to claim the coveted Golden Ball.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tops early rankings thanks to his influential performances in club and international competitions, particularly his leadership in Arsenal’s title push. Close behind are Harry Kane, who continues to score prolifically for Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland with his lethal finishing for Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, maintaining his form for Real Madrid and France.

READ ALSO:

Rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, also features prominently among early favourites, while other notable contenders include midfield dynamo Vitinha and reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Analysts note that the race is still early and that Champions League and World Cup performances will heavily influence the final outcome.

The early rankings provide a snapshot of the competition, highlighting a mix of established stars and emerging talents who could define the next era of global football.