Victor Osimhen vows to go to war as Nigeria faces Tanzania in their AFCON 2025 opener Read the full preview team news and Osimhens mission for continental glory .
The stage is set in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON and the atmosphere is already electric As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare to kick off their campaign in Group C their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen has sent a clear and thunderous message to their opening opponents it is time for war .
Nigeria will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Tuesday December 23 2025 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès For Osimhen and his teammates this match is more than just a fixture it is the beginning of a redemption arc following their narrow defeat in the 2023 final .
Osimhens Battle Cry It’s All About Going to War
Speaking ahead of the clash the Galatasaray forward did not mince words regarding the teams mentality Despite being the heavy favorites against a Tanzanian side that has never progressed past the group stages Osimhen emphasized that there is no room for complacency .
Its all about going to war Tuesday is the first one and we will give everything Osimhen told Nigerian journalists We are not underrating anyone in our group but I think were up there with so many favorites in this tournament .
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Osimhen who scored only once during the 2023 edition is a man on a mission He is currently chasing the legendary Rashidi Yekinis all time scoring record for Nigeria sitting just six goals behind the late strikers tally of 37 For Osimhen personal records are secondary to the collective goal of bringing the trophy back to Abuja .
The Road to Redemption for the Super Eagles
Nigeria enters this tournament under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle After the heartbreak of losing 2 1 to Côte dIvoire in the previous final and the recent disappointment of missing out on the 2026 World Cup the pressure to deliver is immense .
The Super Eagles squad is a blend of veteran leadership and explosive young talent While they will miss the presence of retired captain William Troost Ekong and the injured Benjamin Fredrick the team remains a formidable force Wilfred Ndidi is expected to captain the side from midfield while Ademola Lookman fresh off his stellar performances in Europe will likely partner Osimhen in a devastating attacking line .
Group C Outlook The Path Forward
Nigeria finds itself in a competitive Group C alongside Tunisia A North African powerhouse and perennial contenders Uganda A resilient side known for their tactical discipline Tanzania The Taifa Stars looking to cause a massive upset .
A victory against Tanzania is crucial for Nigeria to secure early momentum before they face the tactical challenge of Tunisia on December 27 .
Tanzanias Underdog Ambition
While the headlines focus on Osimhens war Tanzania is not coming to Fès merely to make up the numbers Led by Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi the Taifa Stars have qualified for their third consecutive AFCON .
Tanzania typically employs a disciplined compact defensive structure often utilizing a 4 1 4 1 formation to frustrate superior opponents Players like Feisal Salum and Kelvin John will be key if they hope to catch Nigeria on the counter attack However history is not on their side Nigeria remains unbeaten in their seven previous encounters against Tanzania winning four and drawing three .
Key Match Details
Match Nigeria vs Tanzania Tournament AFCON 2025 Group C Date Tuesday December 23 2025 Venue Complexe Sportif de Fès Morocco Kick off 5 30 PM Local 6 30 PM Nigerian Time .
Conclusion A High Stakes Opener
The 2025 AFCON represents a turning point for Nigerian football For Victor Osimhen it is an opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the continents greatest ever strikers By declaring war on Tanzania he has set the tone for a team that is no longer satisfied with being runners up .
On Tuesday night the talking stops and the battle for African supremacy begins .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should cross check updates from official news outlets .