The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its decisive stage, and Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Mozambique in a Round of 16 clash on Monday as they continue their pursuit of a fourth continental title.
Nigeria arrived at the knockout stage in dominant form, having won all three of their group matches, a feat achieved by only one other team, Algeria, at the tournament in Morocco.
It marked a strong response from the Super Eagles after the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under the guidance of coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria cruised past Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C to set up a meeting with the Mambas of Mozambique.
Mozambique’s path to the knockout stage, however, was far less convincing.
The Southern Africans qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams after losing two Group F matches and securing a single victory against Gabon.
The Mambas also face defensive concerns, having failed to keep a clean sheet in all 18 AFCON matches they have played in the competition’s history.
That record will be tested against a Nigerian side that scored the most goals in the group phase.
Chelle, who was named best coach of the group stage, is expected to rely on the attacking trio of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.
With no major injury concerns, regular starters Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Stanley Nwabali, Frank Onyeka and Akor Adams are also in line to feature.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika is pushing for a starting place after scoring twice in Nigeria’s group-stage victory over Uganda.
Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde does not boast a squad with Nigeria’s depth, but his side will look to Geny Catamo, who has scored two of their four goals at the tournament.
Cyriel Dessers and Ryan Alebiosu are unavailable due to injury.
Monday’s encounter will be Mozambique’s first-ever knockout appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Nigeria are seasoned campaigner at this stage of the competition.
The match will be the second AFCON meeting between the two countries.
Their first encounter came in 2010, when Nigeria recorded a 3–0 victory in Angola through goals from Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins.
Overall, the Super Eagles have won four of the five meetings between the two sides, with one draw. Nigeria also edged Mozambique 3–2 in a friendly played in Portugal in 2023.
With Nigeria ranked 30th in the world and Mozambique placed 102nd, the Super Eagles head into the contest as clear favourites.
However, the underdogs will be hoping to script one of the competition’s biggest upsets.
See match details:
Fixture: Nigeria vs Mozambique
Stage: Round of 16
Competition: 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Kick-off: Monday, 8 pm (WAT)
Venue: Fez Stadium, Fez, Morocco