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

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.”

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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