Gamondi: No room for errors
MOROCCO: TAIFA Stars coach Miguel Gamondi has said his team is ready to face Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C match at the Fez Sports Complex on Sunday, while stressing that there is no room for mistakes.
The Argentine tactician Gamondi told reporters after training session yesterday insisting the importance of discipline and focus against a strong Nigerian side.
“Nigeria is among the top five teams in the continent when you analyse their squad, especially considering their players’ profiles at both club and professional levels,” Gamondi said during the team’s training session.
“We must understand that there is no room for mistakes in games like this, as any error can be costly. By executing our plan effectively, we can score multiple goals and secure a win.”
Gamondi reiterated that it will be a battle of eleven versus eleven, and the team must stay disciplined while capitalising on any weaknesses of the opposition.
“Despite their strength, we need to face them confidently and rise to the challenge, whether in possession or without the ball. It’s important to study their weaknesses and take advantage of any mistakes they make.”
The match is scheduled to kick off at 08:30pm East African Time. Tanzania will later face Uganda on Saturday before concluding the group stage on December 30th against Tunisia.
This is Tanzania’s fourth AFCON appearance, having previously competed in 1980, 2019 and 2023. Their debut match in 1980 saw Taifa Stars lose 3-1 to Nigeria in Group A.
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To date, Tanzania has played ten AFCON matches without a win, recording three draws and seven defeats. Nigeria, by contrast, are heavyweights in African football, having won the tournament three times in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and finishing runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023.
This year marks Nigeria’s 21st AFCON finals appearance. Nigeria’s Super Eagles Coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, commented on the today’s encounter with Tanzania, saying that while they are aware of the Taifa Stars’ reputation, their focus remains on controlling the game.
He added that the team is not underestimating their opponents, but they will let the match itself decide the outcome.
“We have heard so much about the Tanzanian Stars, but they should worry about how to stop the Super Eagles. We are not underrating them, but at the same time, we are not letting all the talk get to us. Everything will be settled on the pitch.”
