Super Eagles: 3 Tanzania players who can hurt Nigeria in Uyo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play against Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13.

The second leg of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers double-header will be played next Tuesday, which makes both games a must-win for Eric Chelle’s side.

Tanzania are co-hosts of the tournament, meaning they will qualify anyway, and Nigeria, already three points behind Guinea-Bissau, need to win all their remaining games as there’s just one qualifying spot in Group L.

Ahead of the clash on Friday, Afrik-Foot highlights three Tanzanian players who can hurt the Super Eagles in Uyo.

3 Tanzanian players who can hurt Nigeria

1. Feisal Salum

Feisal Salum is one of Tanzania’s most important players because of his ability to create opportunities from midfield.

Known as Fei Toto, the 28-year-old operates primarily as an attacking midfielder for Azam FC. He can also play deeper, giving coach Miguel Gamondi flexibility in how he builds his midfield.

Salum started all six of Tanzania’s World Cup qualifiers, and he set up a goal last time out against Tanzania.

Nigeria must be careful about allowing him time and space between the midfield and defensive lines. If Wilfred Ndidi and his teammates fail to close him down, Salum could provide the passes that release Tanzania’s forwards into space behind the defence.

2. Simon Msuva

Msuva brings experience and an established goalscoring reputation to Gamondi’s forward line.

The 33-year-old currently plays for Iraqi club Newroz SC and has previously played for clubs including Wydad Casablanca and JS Kabylie. He is comfortable operating across several positions in the forward line and offers Tanzania an experienced option in the final third.

Although he has not scored in those qualifiers, his experience and movement mean Nigeria’s defenders cannot afford to switch off around him.

The Super Eagles will need to prevent him from receiving the ball in dangerous areas, particularly in transition.

3. Bernard Kamungo

Kamungo is an interesting inclusion because of the attacking threat he brings from Major League Soccer.

The 24-year-old previously played for the United States Men’s National Team before switching allegiance to represent the Taifa Stars.

His ability to carry the ball and create opportunities will be one to watch as Tanzania look to exploit the spaces behind Nigeria’s full-backs.

Kamungo has never played for Tanzania, and he’ll be keen to make a lasting mark on his debut in Uyo on Friday.

Super Eagles must remain alert

Tanzania may not have started their qualifying campaign convincingly, but their squad has enough quality to punish lapses in concentration.

For Nigeria, controlling Salum in midfield, limiting Msuva’s opportunities and preventing Kamungo from exploiting wide spaces will be important if the Super Eagles are to secure victory in Uyo.

The Green and Whites will have to secure those victories without key players like Victor Osimhen and Frank Onyeka.