Nigeria approach their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania after conceding in five successive internationals, with coach Éric Chelle preparing a side that trails Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
The Super Eagles will host Tanzania in Uyo on 13 November before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture on 17 November, according to the Nigeria Football Federation’s published schedule.
Their run without a clean sheet covers friendlies against Poland, Portugal and Russia, alongside qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, according to Afrik-Foot’s review of the team’s preparations.
Nigeria collected three points by beating Madagascar 2-1 in their opening qualifier on 25 September. Four days later, they lost 3-0 in Bissau, leaving them three points behind Guinea-Bissau after two rounds.
Guinea-Bissau lead the section with six points, while Madagascar and Tanzania have one apiece. Nigeria’s two qualifying matches have produced two goals scored and four conceded.
Tanzania’s status as a tournament co-host changes the qualification requirements for the group. Under CAF’s published format, Tanzania already have a place at the finals, and only the highest-ranked team among Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will join them.
Nigeria’s most recent outing ended in a 3-3 friendly draw with Russia in Nizhny Novgorod on 6 October. Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring, but Russia established a 3-1 lead before Peter Edokpolor and Akor Adams scored to draw Nigeria level.
The NFF’s match report recorded nine senior international debuts during that encounter, including five players who started. Afrik-Foot identified Edokpolor, Igor Wilfred and Abubakar Umar among the newcomers.
That friendly gave Chelle an opportunity to assess additional players before competitive fixtures resumed. Edokpolor scored in the 78th minute, while Adams supplied the equaliser in the fourth minute of added time.
In its assessment of the selection options, Afrik-Foot called for more opportunities for Chibuike Nwaiwu, Abdullahi Bewene and Benjamin Fredrick. It discussed those players alongside established internationals Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The attacking selections also remain part of the pre-match discussion. Afrik-Foot reported that Victor Osimhen was expected to return following the fitness concern that kept him out of the October fixtures.
Iheanacho, who scored against Russia, has continued finding the net for Bursaspor. The publication also identified Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena as possible forward options for the Tanzania matches.
Chelle’s preparations extend beyond the senior team. He also coaches the Olympic Eagles, whose U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against DR Congo falls on the same dates as the Tanzania fixtures.
The NFF has scheduled the U23 first leg for 13 November at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, followed by the return at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on 17 November.
The November matches constitute rounds three and four of the senior AFCON qualifying campaign. CAF has allocated 22–30 March 2027 for the final two rounds.