**AFCON Watch: Nigeria vs Tanzania Comes Next**

The AFCON 2027 group L qualifying match between Nigeria and Tanzania, first leg, comes up on Friday, 13th November, 2026, by 5:00 pm WAT at the iconic Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Considered a double-header, the day-3 match will be followed just 4 days later, by the return leg on Tuesday, 17th November, 2026 by 2:00 pm WAT, at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar during the FIFA international window.

Nigeria is currently placed 2nd in group L with 3 points from 2 matches: a win over Madagascar at home on the 25th of September, where all the 3 points at stake was picked, and a loss away to Guinea-Bissau, giving all the 3 points to Guinea-Bissau 4 days later on the 29th of September, 2026, to lead the group with 6 points. At number 2 on the group's table, Nigeria must win both at Uyo and Zanzibar to comfortably qualify for the all-important tournament, as Tanzania has nothing to lose, having qualified automatically as a co-host alongside Kenya and Uganda. This leaves the race for Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

So, the race is a tricky one for Nigera, as winning the two matches on the 13th and 17th of November will be the only way to keep Nigeria in control with 9 points, leaving the group's live place to be decided in March next year, provided Guinea-Bissau does not win her two games this week against Madagascar. If on the other hand the Guinea-Bissau lads win their two games this week and pushing them to 9 points, then, the Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau final face-off in Uyo on 28th of March, 2027 truely becomes a final, as the Super Eagles must win, and emphatically too, with 4 goals to nothing to overturn the head-to-head goal difference, except Guinea-Bissau drop points against Tanzania. Any other scenerio outside winning the two matches, Nigeria will need Guinea-Bissau to drop points, or the Super Eagles must win both of their two matches in March.

It is important therefore, for Chelle and his boys to watch out on Thursday for the match between Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as the result therefrom will set the target for the Super Eagles. If for instance Guinea-Bissau wins again, they will be on 9 points, and Nigeria must win both of her games this week to stay afloat. But if Madagascar takes some points off Guinea-Bissau, then, the door is open for Nigeria.

With Osimhen out of the permutation for injury, and Iheanacho dropped despite being in form, Chelle is confident he will win both in Uyo and Zanzibar.