AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Tolu Arokodare’s physicality and quality overwhelmed us – Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi

Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has admitted that the individual quality of Nigeria’s attacking players, particularly Tolu Arokodare, proved decisive in his side’s 3-1 defeat to the Super Eagles in Uyo.

The Taifa Stars held Nigeria for much of the contest but struggled to contain the impact of Arokodare after the striker came off the bench to score twice in the second half.

Both teams went into the break level at 1-1 after Tanzania recovered from an early setback to restore parity. However, Nigeria’s superior attacking quality eventually told as Arokodare produced a match-winning contribution to secure all three points.

Gamondi acknowledged that his team struggled against the physical presence and technical ability of Nigeria’s attacking options, particularly after the introduction of the Ajax forward.

The Tanzanian coach believes the difference in individual quality between the two squads became more evident after the interval, when Nigeria increased the pressure and found ways through his team’s defence.

“In the second half, we conceded a different quality to the player who comes from the bench.

“There are big strikers (Tolu Arokodare) and even physically and the quality. This was the difference. We can’t suffer this bad for the first fifteen minutes because they made a lot of pressure and attacked well,” he said after the match.

Gamondi praises Tanzania’s fighting spirit despite early setback

Despite the defeat, Gamondi was proud of his players for their response after Nigeria took an early lead.

The Super Eagles started aggressively and quickly found the breakthrough, putting Tanzania under pressure in the opening stages.

However, rather than allow the setback to affect their confidence, the visitors remained competitive and eventually found an equaliser to take the contest into half-time on level terms.

Gamondi described the early concession as a potentially damaging moment but praised his players for showing the character to recover and remain committed to their approach.

“I think we started in the worst scenario. We conceded one goal in the first minutes of the game against Nigeria,” he said.

“It should be a killer situation but my boys showed a big character to keep their minds on the pitch and keep believing and we equalized.”

The coach also argued that Nigeria’s dominance in possession did not necessarily translate into clear scoring opportunities during the opening 45 minutes.

He felt Tanzania managed to limit the Super Eagles’ attacking threat before the break, although their opponents became more dangerous after the interval.

“It is true that Nigeria held a lot of the ball but didn’t create a lot of chances in the first half,” he explained.

Tanzania coach admits Nigeria deserved victory

Gamondi conceded that Nigeria were deserving winners but insisted his players also created opportunities to make the contest more competitive.

The Tanzanian tactician was particularly encouraged by his team’s willingness to continue attacking despite falling behind again in the second half.

He believes his players showed enough quality in their approach to suggest they can compete against stronger opponents, even though their finishing let them down in Uyo.

“Nigeria deserves to win the game but I am very proud of my players. The kind of football we tried to play good and honest football.”

“We tried to attack even in the second half we created two, three chances. Nigeria should have scored one or two goals more but maybe Tanzania as well.”

He further identified the Super Eagles’ clinical finishing as a major difference, arguing that his side failed to convert some of the opportunities they created.

“The difference between both teams is that maybe we arrive and cannot score the goal but Nigeria kept this power.”

Gamondi raises concerns over Tanzania’s exhausting travel schedule

Beyond the result, Gamondi also highlighted the physical demands of Tanzania’s preparations and travelling arrangements, suggesting they had affected his players’ ability to maintain their intensity throughout the 90 minutes.

He warned that the challenge could become more difficult in their next assignment following what he described as an exhausting journey.

“I repeat, I am satisfied with the level of my players. Even the condition, we traveled and it is difficult for us to perform 90 minutes,” he revealed.

“Even the next game would be worse because we made a lot of unbelievable trip but we can’t complain.”

Nevertheless, Gamondi maintained that he wants to establish an attacking identity for Tanzania rather than sacrifice his football philosophy in pursuit of results.

He believes the performance against Nigeria demonstrated that his team can make progress if they maintain their current approach and continue improving.

“I tried to give an identity with Tanzania to play this kind of football and people want to win games.”

“But, I am very realistic, if we can play like today, I am satisfied. To play at this level with Nigeria, with that we can progress. I would tried to give our best and I think we are not more level than that,” he concluded.

The victory strengthened Nigeria’s position in the race for the group’s only qualification spot, while moving them closer to leaders Guinea-Bissau.