Nigeria will continue their pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations crown when they take on Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco on Monday night.
The knockout tie will be staged at the Stade de Fes, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time, as the Super Eagles face a Mozambican side appearing in the AFCON knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Match preview
Having emerged as one of the standout teams of the group stage, Nigeria arrive in Fes with confidence high after recording a perfect return of three wins from three matches in Group A, overcoming Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to finish top with nine points.
The Super Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final group fixture underlined both their attacking depth and growing cohesion, as Eric Chelle rotated his squad while still extending Nigeria’s winning run and securing their highest-ever group-stage goal tally at an AFCON finals.
Photo Credit: Poojamedia
Nigeria scored eight goals across the group phase, netting at least twice in all three matches for the first time at the tournament, while their total of three group-stage victories marked only the fourth occasion they have achieved that feat at AFCON.
Victory over Uganda also represented Nigeria’s 61st win in AFCON history, moving them to within one of Egypt’s all-time tournament record, while it ensured a 16th consecutive appearance in the knockout rounds, having last exited at the group stage in 1982.
This will be Nigeria’s fourth appearance in the Round of 16 since the format was introduced, having progressed at this stage in 2019 and 2023 before suffering elimination in 2021, and a win on Monday would send them into the quarter-finals for the 12th time overall.
Photo Credit: Justina Aniefiok
Standing in their way are Mozambique, who are enjoying a landmark campaign after reaching the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time at their sixth attempt, finally breaking a long-standing group-stage barrier.
The Mambas secured their historic progression by recording their first-ever AFCON finals victory during the group phase, defeating Gabon, before narrowly losing 2-1 to Cameroon in their final match despite taking the lead.
That defeat was notable as it marked the first time Mozambique have lost an AFCON match after scoring first, while it also extended a long-running defensive trend that has seen them concede in all 18 of their matches at the tournament.
The Mambas Celebrating. Photo Credit: Imago
Mozambique have never kept a clean sheet at AFCON and, alongside Zimbabwe, remain the only teams to have conceded in each of their first 18 appearances at the finals, although they have shown improved attacking consistency by scoring in successive matches for the first time in a single edition.
History heavily favours Nigeria in this contest, with the Super Eagles unbeaten in five previous meetings between the sides, winning four and drawing one, including a comfortable 3-0 victory in their only prior AFCON encounter at the 2010 tournament.
Photo Credit: Imago
More recently, Nigeria claimed a 3-2 win in a friendly meeting in October 2023, and they will enter this Round of 16 clash as clear favourites to extend their dominance against a Mozambique side facing West African opposition for the 10th time without a win.
Team News
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has acknowledged the selection challenges posed by the depth of quality within his squad, particularly after rotating his side during the group-stage win over Uganda.
Victor Osimhen, who scored against Tunisia earlier in the tournament but has yet to fully hit top form, is expected to lead the line once again, with the Galatasaray striker set to retain the trust of the coaching staff.
Victor Osimhen. Photo Credit: Imago
Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams are both tipped to return to the starting XI after being rested last time out, restoring a more familiar attacking trio as Nigeria seek greater fluency in the final third.
At the back, a settled defensive unit could be reinstated, with Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel all expected to return to the starting lineup for the knockout encounter.
Nigeria will be without Cyriel Dessers, who has been sent home after picking a thigh injury while Ryan Alebiosu is also sidelined after sustaining an injury during his debut appearance against Uganda.
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Mozambique, meanwhile, will be without Diogo Calila and Nene, both of whom remain unavailable through injury and will play no part in Monday’s contest.
Photo Credit: Imago
Nigeria possible lineup
Nwabili; Onyemaechi, Ajayi, Bassey, Osayi-Samuel; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze; Adams, Lookman; Osimhen
Mozambique possible lineup
Urrubal; Nanani, Dove, Chamboco, Mexer; Kambala, Bonde; Dominguez, Catamo, Gildo; Ratifo
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Nigeria’s depth, experience and attacking consistency should prove decisive against a Mozambique side still finding its footing at the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
PREDICTION: Nigeria 3-1 Mozambique
