Nigeria deserved to win — Tanzania coach

Tanzania head coach, Miguel Gamondi, has admitted that Nigeria deserved to win the 3-1 victory in Uyo on Friday, praising the Super Eagles as one of the best teams in Africa, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria led through Alhassan Yusuf inside two minutes at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before Alphonce Msanga levelled after 32 minutes. Tolu Arokodare came off the bench at half-time and scored twice to settle the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“Nigeria deserves to win the game, but I am very proud of my players,” the Argentine said after the match.

He singled out Arokodare as the difference.

“There are big strikers (Tolu Arokodare) and even physically and in quality. This was the difference,” he said.

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Gamondi said his team had made a poor start, saying, “I think we started in the worst scenario. We conceded one goal in the first minutes of the game against Nigeria.

“We need to give credit to Nigeria. For me, they are one of the best teams in Africa, and Tanzania needs to continue working because this kind of game gives us something to learn and helps us see our level.”

He also said travel had affected his squad and warned that the return leg could be harder.

“Even the condition, we travelled, and it is difficult for us to perform 90 minutes. Even the next game would be worse because we made a lot of unbelievable trips but we cannot complain,” he said.

Tanzania are guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. The sides meet again at the Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar, on Tuesday, November 17.

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