Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi believes defeating Nigeria in their AFCON opener would be as significant as winning the entire tournament for the winless Taifa Stars.
Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi believes his side can end their long wait for a maiden Africa Cup of Nations victory when they face Nigeria on Tuesday.
The Taifa Stars have played nine matches across three previous tournament appearances without recording a single win.
As they prepare for their tenth AFCON game at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, the Argentine tactician remains optimistic about breaking the historic winless streak against the continental giants.
The coach acknowledged Nigeria’s superior pedigree but emphasized that his team is motivated by the prospect of an upset.
“It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing and dreaming,” Gamondi stated during a pre-match press conference.
He admitted that while the Super Eagles are heavy favorites on paper, the unpredictable nature of football gives his side a fighting chance to make a significant impact in their opening Group C encounter.
Gamondi highlighted that a victory over the three-time champions would be a monumental achievement for Tanzanian football.
“I am confident we can do something. If we do what we need to do and are able to win, beating Nigeria would feel like winning the AFCON for us, especially at the start of the tournament,” he said.
Following this clash, Tanzania is scheduled to face regional rivals Uganda and North African powerhouses Tunisia.