The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Tuesday against Tanzania, with the highly anticipated match taking place at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco. The Nigerian team enters the tournament facing considerable uncertainty, stemming from unconvincing recent performances and the absence of key players such as Ola Aina and William Troost-Ekong. Head coach Eric Chelle's unconventional style of play and past decisions have drawn scrutiny, making this tournament a crucial opportunity for him to demonstrate his capabilities.

Despite the prevailing doubts, Nigeria is widely regarded as the overwhelming favorite against Tanzania, a status attributed to their superior squad quality and historical achievements. Coach Chelle is thus expected to deploy a bold and assertive strategy. Predicted to guard the goal for the Super Eagles is Chippa United's Stanley Nwabali, whose fitness concerns were alleviated by a strong showing against Egypt last week, solidifying his position as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

In defense, new recruit Benjamin Fredrick's absence means Chelle will rely on experienced players. Calvin Bassey is a certainty at centre-back due to his consistent performance, likely to be partnered by Semi Ajayi. Bright Osayi-Samuel is expected to fill the right-back position following Ola Aina’s injury, while Zaidu Sanusi is anticipated to retain his role at left-back, ensuring a strong defensive line.

The midfield is projected to feature a two-man setup, a common tactic for Chelle against less formidable opponents. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will provide essential cover in front of the defense, while Alex Iwobi will be tasked with orchestrating play and dictating the tempo of the game. This strategic choice suggests that players like Inter Milan-owned Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Raphael Onyedika may not feature in the starting lineup.

Leading the attack will be Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, who has cemented his reputation as Nigeria’s most prominent performer. He is likely to be joined by Akor Adams, a reliable option whenever called upon. On the wings, Samuel Chukwueze is expected to start on the right, with Ademola Lookman operating from the left. Both wingers will carry significant defensive and creative responsibilities, frequently dropping back into midfield to support Iwobi and Ndidi and create scoring opportunities, adapting to the flow of the match.

Adding another layer of discussion to the opening fixture is the appointment of Mauritanian official Dahane Beida as the center referee. Beida, a FIFA-listed official recognized as one of the continent's elite referees, has an impressive resume including officiating matches at the 2024 Olympic Games and the FIFA Club World Cup. However, his past involvement with Nigeria carries a notable and painful memory: he was the referee for the 2023 AFCON final, where Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast.

Despite this historical context, which some fans might perceive as an unfavorable omen, the Super Eagles remain the strong favorites to secure all three points against Tanzania. The team will be focused on a dominant performance to kick off their quest for a fourth AFCON title in Morocco, ensuring that Beida's past officiating history does not deter their determination for a successful start.