Nigeria hosts Tanzania on Friday 13 November 2026 at 19:00 EAT (17:00 in Nigeria) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Both teams are missing key players. Nigeria are without striker Victor Osimhen after knee surgery, and Tanzania have lost Yanga pair Clement Mzize and Dickson Job to injury, with Azam winger Iddi Seleman Nado called up as cover.
Nigeria team news
- Victor Osimhen is out. The Galatasaray striker was injured in a Champions League win over Stuttgart and has had surgery on his left knee. He is expected to miss about three to four weeks.
- Maduka Okoye is left out. Coach Eric Chelle has recalled Francis Uzoho alongside Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo.
- Samuel Chukwueze is also missing.
- New face: Slavia Prague teenager Mubarak Suleiman gets his first senior call-up.
- With Osimhen out, the goals are expected to come from Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Simon.
Nigeria squad (24)
- Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo
- Defenders: Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Fredrick, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Samson Tijani, Alhassan Yusuf, Tochukwu Nnadi, Mubarak Suleiman
- Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Usor
Tanzania team news
- Clement Mzize and Dickson Job are out. Both Young Africans players withdrew with injuries, and their club asked for them to stay in Tanzania for medical assessment and treatment. TFF spokesperson Clifford Ndimbo confirmed the decision.
- Iddi Seleman Nado (Azam FC) has been called up. The 31-year-old winger has one goal in 11 appearances for the Taifa Stars and travelled with the squad to Uyo.
- Losing Job is a blow to the defence, so expect Bakari Mwamnyeto to lead the back line. Without Mzize, Simon Msuva and FC Dallas forward Bernard Kamungo carry the attack.
Full squad: Taifa Stars squad vs Nigeria.
Predicted line-ups
Nigeria (4-3-3): Nwabali; Aina, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru; Lookman, Awoniyi, Simon.
Tanzania (4-2-3-1): Manula; Chilambo, Mwamnyeto, Lukanima, Miroshi; Himid Mao, Mabula; Kachwele, Feisal Salum, Kibu Denis; Msuva.
Predicted line-ups are our best guess based on recent selections. Official line-ups are confirmed about an hour before kick-off.
Match details
- Nigeria v Tanzania: Friday 13 November 2026, 19:00 EAT (17:00 WAT), Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
- Tanzania v Nigeria: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 16:00 EAT, New Amaan Complex, Zanzibar
- Competition: AFCON 2027 qualifiers, Group L
What’s at stake
Guinea-Bissau lead Group L with 6 points, Nigeria have 3, and Madagascar and Tanzania have 1 each. Tanzania are already qualified as co-hosts, so Nigeria are fighting Guinea-Bissau for the group’s only other place. After losing 3β0 in Bissau, the Super Eagles realistically need two wins against Tanzania. For the Taifa Stars, it’s a chance to get their first win of the campaign and spoil Nigeria’s plans.
Head-to-head
Nigeria have never lost to Tanzania. In 11 meetings, Nigeria have won 7 and 4 have been draws. The teams last met at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, where Nigeria won 2β1 in the group stage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Osimhen playing against Tanzania?
No. Victor Osimhen is out after knee surgery and is not in Nigeria’s squad for either game against Tanzania.
Why are Mzize and Job not playing for Tanzania?
Clement Mzize and Dickson Job withdrew with injuries. Their club, Young Africans, asked for them to stay in Tanzania for treatment. Iddi Seleman Nado was called up.
What time is Nigeria vs Tanzania?
19:00 East Africa Time (17:00 in Nigeria) on Friday 13 November 2026, in Uyo.
More: Full match preview Β· All Matchday 3 & 4 fixtures Β· Qualifiers table