Miguel Gamondi: ‘Even the next game would be worse’ after Uyo trip

Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has warned that his side's travel problems could be even harder to handle in Tuesday's return leg against the Super Eagles, after Tolu Arokodare's second-half brace sank the Taifa Stars 3-1 in Uyo.

Nigeria led through Alhassan Yusuf inside two minutes at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, before Alphonce Msanga levelled after 32 minutes. Arokodare came off the bench at half-time and scored twice to settle the AFCON 2027 qualifier.

The two sides meet again in Tanzania on Tuesday, with Nigeria six points from three Group L games, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau.

Gamondi: ‘Nigeria deserves to win the game'

The Argentine was generous about the result in his post-match comments, as reported by AfricaSoccer, and pointed straight at the substitute who changed the game.

“There are big strikers (Tolu Arokodare) and even physically and the quality. This was the difference.”

He was just as clear about the opening minutes, when Nigeria's pressure brought the early goal.

“I think we started in the worst scenario. We conceded one goal in the first minutes of the game against Nigeria,” he added. “Nigeria deserves to win the game but I am very proud of my players.”

The trip, and why Tuesday worries him

Gamondi then turned to his squad's condition, and to the second leg.

“Even the condition, we traveled and it is difficult for us to perform 90 minutes,” he continued. “Even the next game would be worse because we made a lot of unbelievable trip but we can't complain.”

He had raised the same issue before kick-off, telling reporters in comments carried by PanAfrica Football that Tanzania were missing three to four players, especially because of visa issues and travel. He also reminded everyone where his side stand.

“We are already qualified, but it doesn't matter what the situation is.”

Tanzania are guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as one of the three co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda, which leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar chasing the group's other ticket.

Analysis: A tired host is still a dangerous one

Gamondi's words cut two ways for Nigeria. A squad that made a long trip to Uyo and must now travel home, with players already missing, should be there for the taking, and the Super Eagles had 67.8% of the ball in Uyo.

But Tanzania have nothing to lose. A side that is already qualified can play freely at home, and Gamondi's own read was that his team created chances in the second half and could have scored more.

The bigger lesson from Uyo is the opening half. Nigeria scored early and then let Tanzania back in, and the Super Eagles now go into the return leg with Lookman's knee a worry as well. Repeat that in Tanzania, in front of a home crowd, and fatigue may not be enough to save Nigeria.

The forward who did the damage on Friday is in the form of his life, as Soccernet's look at Arokodare's Ajax numbers shows. Whether Eric Chelle starts him on Tuesday may decide how comfortable the return leg feels.