Tanzania Coach Admits Nigeria Deserved 3-1 Victory

Tanzania head coach, Miguel Gamondi, has admitted that Nigeria deserved their 3-1 victory in Uyo on Friday, describing the Super Eagles as one of the best teams in Africa.

Nigeria opened the scoring through Alhassan Yusuf inside two minutes at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before Alphonce Msanga equalised for Tanzania in the 32nd minute.

However, substitute Tolu Arokodare scored twice after coming on at half-time to secure victory for the Super Eagles in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“Nigeria deserves to win the game, but I am very proud of my players,” the Argentine coach said after the match.

He identified Arokodare’s physical strength and quality as key factors in Nigeria’s victory.

“There are big strikers (Tolu Arokodare) and even physically and in quality. This was the difference,” he said.

Gamondi also admitted that Tanzania made a poor start to the match after conceding an early goal.

“I think we started in the worst scenario. We conceded one goal in the first minutes of the game against Nigeria.

“We need to give credit to Nigeria. For me, they are one of the best teams in Africa, and Tanzania needs to continue working because this kind of game gives us something to learn and helps us see our level,” he added.

The coach further said travelling had affected his players and warned that their next meeting with Nigeria could be more challenging.

“Even the condition, we travelled, and it is difficult for us to perform 90 minutes. Even the next game would be worse because we made a lot of unbelievable trips but we cannot complain,” he said.

Tanzania are guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda.

The two teams will meet again at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17.