Head coach of Tanzania, Miguel Gamondi, has admitted that the gap and quality between his team and Nigeria is very big.
Gamondi was speaking after their 3-1 loss to the Super Eagles in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.
His team had briefly drawn level in the game, after Alphonce Msanga cancelled out Alhassan Yusuf's early opener.
But substitute Tolu Arokodare bagged a brace within eight minutes in the second half to secure the three points.
Speaking in an interview with TFF TV, Gamondi said: ”I want to congratulate my players for the fight, the spirit, how they run, they put in everything inside the pitch. We knew we were playing against a big team, we committed one mistake in just two minutes which was the worst scenario but we came back to equalise to draw the first half.
“We knew in the first 15 minutes of the second half they will come to press us, we saw the changes they made, they kept their big players on the bench. Physically they are very strong and even with that we tried to play, we battled, we created three, four chances as well but honestly it’s the level we have, we don’t have much more than that, the gap and quality between us and Nigeria is very big, when you make one mistake they punish you.”
Gamondi also noted that the game against the Eagles will serve as a good learning experience for Tanzania.
“We need to give credit to Nigeria, for me they are one of the best teams in Africa and Tanzania needs to continue working because this kind of game gives us something to learn to see our level. We will keep working and try to do our best like I repeat there’s a big difference, the condition, the players but we deserve credit," he added.
2027 AFCONQ: Why we lost 3-1 to Super Eagles - Tanzania head coach, Gamondi