Iwobi: Nigeria primed to turn training intensity into AFCON results

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi remains confident that Nigeria’s rigorous preparation will pay dividends, despite a recent stumble in their pre-tournament friendly.

As the squad gears up for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener against Tanzania this Tuesday, Iwobi emphasised that the team has moved past their narrow defeat to Egypt. Under the light rain of Monday’s training session in Morocco, the focus was squarely on tactical refinement and squad cohesion.

The game between Nigeria and Tanzania is set to start at 19:30 CAT at the Fez Stadium in Morocco with three crucal points in this opener at stake.

Turning Lessons into Action

Reflecting on the friendly loss to the Pharaohs, the Fulham FC star noted that the match served as a vital laboratory for a squad integrating fresh talent.

“We lost a preparation game, but we took some positives,” Iwobi told reporters ahead of Monday’s session. “There are a lot of new faces and people adapting to the system and the way the manager wants us to play. We are working hard, we have the full team together now, and hopefully, the preparation will result in the right outcomes.”

Head coach Éric Chelle’s side enters the clash against the Taifa Stars as heavy favorites. Historically, the Super Eagles have dominated this fixture, boasting five wins and three draws in their eight previous encounters.

Nigeria vs. Tanzania: A Quick Glance – AFCON

Head-to-Head Record: Nigeria leads with 5 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses.

AFCON History: Their only previous tournament meeting was the 1980 opener, where Nigeria secured a 3-1 victory on home soil.

Current Form: Nigeria is looking to bounce back from their friendly defeat, while Tanzania aims to cause a major upset in Group C.

While the “new faces” Iwobi mentioned are still finding their rhythm in Chelle’s tactical setup, the sheer depth of the Nigerian roster suggests they are well-equipped to handle the East Africans. The focus now shifts from the training pitches of Morocco to the stadium, where Nigeria looks to replicate their 1980 AFCON success and start their campaign with maximum points.