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Tanzania Coach Gamondi Vows to Contain Nigeria Attack at AFCON
Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi reveals strategies to contain Nigeria’s attack, including Victor Osimhen, ahead of their 2025 AFCON Group C opener in Fez.
Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has outlined plans to curb Nigeria’s attacking threat ahead of their Group C opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set for today at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
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The clash will mark only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania, 45 years after their first encounter in 1980 at the National Stadium, Lagos, where Nigeria won 3–1 en route to their maiden continental title.
Their most recent meetings occurred during qualification for the 2017 tournament, resulting in a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam and a 1–0 victory for Nigeria in Uyo on September 3, 2016.
Gamondi, who took charge of the Taifa Stars just a month before the tournament, acknowledged the challenge posed by Nigeria’s star-studded attack led by striker Victor Osimhen.
“We have tactical plans to try and neutralise Osimhen, but the collective importance is not only him,” Gamondi said at a pre-match press conference.
“You also have players like Chukwueze and Lookman. They move very well with the ball, so we must be aware of our positioning on the pitch. I’m not the type of coach who focuses on just one individual.”
He added, “The quality of the player defines the situation, and Osimhen is the reference point in Nigeria’s attack. But we also need to take care of players coming from the second line. That is the job we need to do.”
The Tanzanian coach emphasised that Nigeria’s strength across all departments demands near-perfect performance from his squad.
“When you see the quality Nigeria possess, you need to give more than 100 per cent. The smallest mistake can be punished by these types of players,” he said.
“Our mentality is to play, recover the ball and try to attack. If we can avoid mistakes, we can do something good.”
Gamondi will rely on the experience of captain Mbwana Samatta, who plays for PAOK in Greece, and forward Simon Msuva, the team’s most capped player, who returns after missing previous international windows.
A start on Tuesday would mark Msuva’s 100th international cap.
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Defender Mohamed Hussein and youngster Haji Mnoga, who plays for Aldershot Town, are also included to provide balance and stability in the squad.
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The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, died after the aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the NAF 931 aircraft crash occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated following the accident.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support as they come to terms with the loss.
The Air Force said no survivors had been found and released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers on board the aircraft.
The crew members were identified as Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer A. Abubakar, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal H.C. Uguru, Aircraft Technician.
The 20 passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye; Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer F. Onwuka; Master Warrant Officer B.A. Matini; Warrant Officer F.S. Nuhu; Flight Sergeant R.B. James; Flight Sergeant A.I. Mohammed; Sergeant A.E. Ani; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien; Sergeant C. Alafuka; Sergeant A.N. Mbadugha; Lance Corporal F.C. Ugwuba; Lance Corporal G.E. Eledan; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
The latest figure released by the Air Force differs from the initial information provided after the crash. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had initially said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently clarified that the manifest contained 25 people, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda, close to a naval base, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos. The wreckage was later located and rescue teams were deployed to the area.
The cause of the crash has not been established. The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
President Bola Tinubu had also directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died. He ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the victims.
The Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses. It also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
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