Tanzania were due to land in Uyo on Sunday 8 November, five days before their Group L qualifier against the Super Eagles, and they come already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts with Kenya and Uganda.
Coach Miguel Gamondi’s 24-man squad is split evenly, with 12 home-based and 12 overseas-based players. The early arrival was reported by Afrik-Foot on 3 November, which credited The Citizen for the plan.
Tanzania have yet to win a qualifier and lost 2-0 to Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria have three points from two games after a 2-1 win over Madagascar and a 3-0 defeat in Bissau, which leaves them second in Group L behind Guinea-Bissau on six.
Two games in five days for Chelle
The first leg is on Friday 13 November at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, and the return is in Tanzania on 17 November. Eric Chelle named his 24-man squad for the double-header without the injured Victor Osimhen and Maduka Okoye, and without Kelechi Iheanacho, as the No. 9 race reopened.
Many of Chelle’s Europe-based players were due to join camp after weekend club games, which leaves him less preparation time than the visitors will have had in Uyo.
Analysis: a free hit for Tanzania, a must-win run for Nigeria
The two camps arrive with very different pressure. Tanzania have no place to chase, so five days to settle in Uyo can be used to play without fear, and a side with nothing to lose can be awkward for a team that needs points.
Nigeria sit behind Guinea-Bissau and cannot afford to treat either game as a formality. If the Super Eagles start slowly on Friday, Tanzania’s extra days on the ground could matter more than the table suggests.
A home win in Uyo would lift Nigeria to six points, level with Guinea-Bissau’s current total, before the return leg four days later.
