AFCON 2027: Gamondi identifies what separated Nigeria from Tanzania

Miguel Gamondi believes Nigeria's superior individual quality and strength from the bench proved decisive as Tanzania suffered a 3-1 defeat in their 2027 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

The Taifa Stars recovered from conceding in the second minute to level the match before half-time, but two second-half goals from Tolu Arokodare secured victory for Eric Chelle's side.

Gamondi praises Tanzania's character

The Tanzania coach described his team's start as the worst possible scenario after Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria an early lead.

However, his players responded positively, with Alphonce Mabula Msanga equalising in the 32nd minute.

"My boys, they show a big character, their mind on the pitch, believing, and we arrived to equalise," Gamondi said.

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He acknowledged Nigeria's dominance but felt Tanzania had competed well, particularly in the first half.

"In the second half we can see the difference, the quality of the players, the players coming from the bench in Nigeria. There are big, big, big strikers, big players, even physically and the quality and this was the difference," he added.

Gamondi also admitted that Nigeria deserved the victory, while insisting he was proud of his players' performance and their commitment to playing attacking football.

Travel and experience add to Tanzania's problems

Gamondi also pointed to Tanzania's difficult travel arrangements and the difference in experience between the two squads as factors that affected his team.

He explained that most of his players compete in local or lower-level leagues, with Novatus Miroshi the exception because he plays in Turkey.

"The different experience, you know, how you put the body, how you go to the 50-50, when you play in high level it's a big difference," he said.

The coach also warned that the long journey to Tanzania for Tuesday's return fixture could make recovery difficult.

Despite the challenges, Gamondi insisted his team would continue working to improve.

"We need to work. Our team is very short in quality and if we lose some players for injury like we lost today, Baka and Mao will be difficult for us to replace," he said.

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