Eric Chelle returns to Amaan Stadium as Nigeria face Tanzania in AFCON qualifier

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle returns to the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday, the scene of a 4-0 defeat by Sudan that ended his home-based side’s African Nations Championship campaign in August 2025.

The Super Eagles will meet Tanzania in Zanzibar in the second leg of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 WAT. Nigeria hold a 3-1 advantage from Friday’s first meeting in Uyo.

That victory moved Nigeria to six points from three Group L matches, leaving them one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania have already secured their place at the finals as co-hosts, meaning only one qualifying position remains available in the group.

A painful Amaan memory

Chelle was in charge of the CHAN Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship, which was staged in August 2025. Nigeria’s second Group D fixture was against Sudan at the Amaan Stadium on 12 August.

Anthony Ijoma appeared to put Nigeria ahead, but his 22nd-minute effort was disallowed for offside following a VAR review. Three minutes later, Leonard Ngenge scored an own goal before conceding a penalty for handling a cross. Walieldin Khidir converted from the spot shortly before half-time.

Sudan added two more goals after the interval, in the 55th and 62nd minutes. Chelle had made three substitutions at the break, introducing Jabbar Malik, Stephen Manyo and Vincent Temitope, but Nigeria could not recover, according to Soccernet’s report at the time.

The defeat followed a 1-0 loss to Senegal in Nigeria’s opening match. With no points from their first two games, the result ended their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, leaving only a dead rubber against Congo.

Lookman fitness concern

The team Chelle takes to Zanzibar is a senior squad built around Nigeria’s first-choice internationals, rather than the home-based group used at CHAN.

In Uyo, Ademola Lookman created the opening goal for Alhassan Yusuf after two minutes, while captain Wilfred Ndidi provided the assist for the first of Tolu Arokodare’s two goals as a substitute.

Lookman is the major doubt for the return fixture after going off late in the first half with a knee problem. Chelle explained the decision in comments reported by Legit.ng, which credited AllNigeriaSoccer.

Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick, who both experienced cramp in Uyo, have recovered, according to the same report. Chelle also played down the significance of the first-leg result and stressed that the decisive match was still to come.

Nigeria have conceded in all three of their qualifiers, allowing five goals in total. They also surrendered an early lead against Tanzania after scoring inside two minutes on Friday.

A victory would lift the Super Eagles to nine points before Guinea-Bissau face Madagascar. Chelle will return to the Amaan touchline at 14:00 WAT with Nigeria’s pursuit of the only open Group L place at the centre of attention.