Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has offered an extraordinary bonus of 500,000 meticais (about $7,800) to each player and member of the coaching staff if the national team defeat Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to Jornal Notícias, the incentive was announced on Thursday after the Mambas qualified for the last 16 of the tournament in Morocco, setting up a knockout tie against the Super Eagles.
The Mambas Celebrating. Photo Credit:Jornal Notícias
Mozambique reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, despite a 2-1 defeat by Cameroon in their final Group F match. The president described the achievement as unprecedented and a source of national pride.
In a message to the players and coaching staff quoted by local media, President Chapo praised the team’s courage, discipline and determination during the group stage.
President Daniel Chapo and his wife watching the Mambas. Photo Credit: Jornal Notícias
Jornal Notícias reported that the 500,000-metical bonus would be paid to each player and coach if Mozambique eliminate Nigeria and reach the quarter-finals.
Nigeria have been among the tournament’s strongest performers after winning all their group stage game and are widely regarded as contenders for the title, making the last-16 clash a significant test for the Mambas.
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles began the knockout stage in commanding fashion, defeating Tanzania 2-1 on match day one before edging North Africans Tunisia 3-2. They completed the group stage with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, even with eight changes to the starting line-up.
Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Mozambique, meanwhile, had a mixed group campaign, losing their opener 1-0 to Ivory Coast, bouncing back with a 3-2 win over Gabon, and finishing with a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon.
The last-16 tie between Nigeria and Mozambique will be played at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Monday, 5 January, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
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The full round of 16 fixtures also features Morocco against Tanzania, Mali versus Tunisia, Algeria facing DR Congo, Egypt meeting Benin, Senegal taking on Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire against Burkina Faso, and South Africa against Cameroon.
