Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they continue their quest for a fourth continental title.
The three-time African champions booked their place in the knockout phase after a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda on Tuesday, completing a perfect group-stage campaign. Earlier wins against Tanzania and Tunisia saw Coach Éric Chelle’s side finish top of their group with a maximum of nine points.
“We showed character and consistency in the group stage, but the real work starts now,” Chelle said after the win over Uganda. “Every match in the knockout phase is like a final, and we must stay focused.”
Mozambique, popularly known as the Mambas, advanced as one of the best third-placed teams despite a 2-1 loss to Cameroon in their final Group F fixture on Wednesday. The Southern Africans ended the group with three points, behind Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, who both finished on seven points, while Gabon exited without a point.
The Round of 16 encounter will see Mozambique travel to Fez to battle Nigeria for a place in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere in the last-16 line-up, Cameroon will lock horns with South Africa in one of the standout ties of the round. Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles are set to face Mali, while reigning champions Senegal take on Sudan. Hosts Morocco will meet Tanzania, Egypt face Benin Republic, and DR Congo clash with Algeria.
A West African derby headlines another fixture as defending champions Côte d’Ivoire square off against Burkina Faso, with the Elephants hoping to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the AFCON title.
“There are no easy games at this stage,” a CAF official noted. “The Round of 16 promises intensity, passion and top-quality football.”
The tournament will observe rest days on Thursday and Friday before the knockout phase kicks off on Saturday. The Round of 16 matches will run from January 3 to 6, 2026, while the quarter-finals are scheduled for January 9 and 10.
