Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has admitted that the Super Eagles had too much individual quality and attacking strength for his side to handle, after Nigeria recovered from an equaliser to beat the Taifa Stars 3-1 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Friday, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria took the lead through Alhassan Yusuf in the second minute, but Alphonce Msanga brought Tanzania level in the 32nd minute, leaving both teams tied at half-time.
The visitors had managed to stay in the contest despite Nigeria enjoying more of the ball. However, Eric Chelle’s changes at the break gave the hosts a different attacking threat.
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Tolu Arokodare came on at half-time and scored twice in eight minutes, with captain Wilfred Ndidi and fellow substitute Moses Usor providing the assists.
Speaking after the match, Gamondi pointed to the difference in the quality and physical strength of the players available to Nigeria, particularly those who came off the bench.
“There are big, big, big strikers, big players, even physically, and the quality. This was the difference,” he said.
The Tanzanian coach also admitted that his players struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pressure, especially during the opening stages, and accepted that the Super Eagles deserved the victory.
“We tried surviving this pressure for the first 15 minutes, but they made a lot of pressure, attacking well. Nigeria deserved to win the game, but I am very proud of my players,” he added.
Gamondi had earlier praised his side for recovering from what he described as the worst possible start after conceding in the second minute.
He said his players showed character, kept believing and found a way back into the game through Msanga.
The result gives Nigeria six points from three Group L matches, leaving them one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau ahead of Tuesday’s return fixture against Tanzania in Zanzibar.
