The business end of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is underway as Nigeria’s Super Eagles square up against Mozambique in a Round of 16 clash on Monday night in Morocco, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Nigeria, chasing a fourth continental title, head into the knockout tie buoyed by a flawless group-stage campaign. The Super Eagles won all three of their Group C matches, a feat matched only by Algeria, as they swept aside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to finish top of the group.
Under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria have looked assured and ruthless in attack, scoring more goals than any other team in the group phase. Speaking ahead of the encounter, Chelle said his side is focused on maintaining momentum.
“The group stage is over; knockout football is a different challenge,” Chelle said. “We respect Mozambique, but our objective is clear — we want to go as far as possible in this tournament.”
Mozambique, by contrast, arrive in the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. The Mambas endured a mixed Group F campaign, losing two matches but securing a crucial win over Gabon to book their place in the knockouts. Monday’s fixture marks Mozambique’s first-ever appearance in an AFCON knockout match.
Despite their underdog status, Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde believes his players have nothing to lose.
“Nigeria are favourites, no doubt, but football is played on the pitch,” Conde said. “We have earned our place here and we will fight for every ball.”
Team News and Key Players
Mozambique face a stern test against a Nigerian side brimming with attacking quality. The Southern Africans have failed to keep a clean sheet in all 18 of their AFCON matches, a worrying statistic against a Super Eagles frontline led by Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Chelle, who was named the best coach of the group stage, has no major injury concerns and is expected to rely on regular starters Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Stanley Nwabali, Frank Onyeka and Akor Adams. Raphael Onyedika, fresh from scoring a brace against Uganda, is also pushing for a starting role.
Mozambique will look to Geny Catamo, who has scored two of their four goals at the tournament, for inspiration. However, the Mambas will be without Cyriel Dessers, who is sidelined by injury, as well as Ryan Alebiosu.
Head-to-Head Record
Monday’s encounter will be the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Mozambique. Their first came in 2010, when the Super Eagles claimed a convincing 3–0 victory in Angola through goals from Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins.
Overall, the two sides have met five times, with Nigeria winning four matches and drawing one. The Super Eagles also edged Mozambique 3–2 in an international friendly played in Portugal in 2023.
Match Details
Fixture: Nigeria vs Mozambique
Stage: Round of 16
Competition: AFCON 2025
Kick-off: Monday, 8:00 pm (WAT)
Venue: Fez Stadium, Fez, Morocco
Can Mozambique Spring a Surprise?
As both teams walk out in Fez on Monday evening, Nigeria will be eyeing another confident step towards AFCON glory, eager to put the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 World Cup behind them. For Mozambique, ranked 102nd in the world and 72 places below Nigeria, an upset would rank among the greatest underdog stories in AFCON history.
As Conde summed it up:
“Rankings don’t win matches. Courage and belief do.”
