Tanzania Coach Says Team Surprised Nigeria Despite 2-1 Loss at AFCON

Tanzania’s head coach Etienne Ndayiragije Gomandi has spoken confidently after his side’s 2-1 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group D match in Fez, Morocco. Although Tanzania did not secure a point from the game, Gomandi said his team gave Nigeria a tough fight and showed quality that he believes surprised many observers. The coach’s comments reflect pride in his players’ performance despite falling short on the scoreboard.

In his post-match remarks, Gomandi said, “We surprised them,” highlighting that his team executed their game plan well and created opportunities that challenged Nigeria’s defence. Tanzania opened the scoring in the first half through forward Mbwana Samatta, a moment that stunned the Super Eagles and ignited confidence among the Taifa Stars. Nigeria responded strongly with goals from Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen, turning the match around before full time. Despite the loss, Gomandi insisted that Tanzania’s competitive display was a positive takeaway.

The coach also praised the character and resilience of his squad, noting that scoring against one of Africa’s traditionally strong teams speaks to the progress his players have made. He emphasized that the match offered valuable experience ahead of further fixtures in the tournament.

The Super Eagles will now look to build on this result as they focus on the remaining group matches, while Tanzania will aim to regroup and secure points that could keep their tournament hopes alive. What do you think about Tanzania’s performance and Gomandi’s positive reaction despite the defeat? Comment below and share your thoughts.

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