By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will lock horns with the Mambas of Mozambique on Monday, January 5, in a high-stakes Round of 16 clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The fixture will take place at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, the same venue where Nigeria played all three of their Group C matches.
Having topped their group with a 100% record, the Super Eagles are brimming with confidence after wins over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda – scoring eight goals and conceding four. Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika lead Nigeria’s scoring chart with two goals each.
Mozambique, meanwhile, scraped through Group B with a single win over Gabon sandwiched between losses to Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon. Though underdogs, the Mambas have shown resilience and could pose a threat to Nigeria’s title ambitions.
Historically, Nigeria dominates this head-to-head, winning four of five previous encounters. Their only AFCON meeting was in 2010, where Nigeria triumphed 3-0 in Lubango, Angola. The most recent meeting, a friendly in October 2023, ended 3-2 in Nigeria’s favour.
Nigeria’s squad has shown depth and fluidity, with goals from across the pitch, including Osimhen, Ndidi, Ajayi, and Onuachu, while creative stars like Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon continue to drive the team forward.
With knockout football underway, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will look to maintain momentum while addressing minor defensive concerns that saw his side concede in every group match.
AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures:
Mali vs Tunisia, Morocco vs Tanzania, Algeria vs DR Congo, Egypt vs Benin Republic, Senegal vs Sudan, Nigeria vs Mozambique, South Africa vs Cameroon, Burkina Faso vs Côte d’Ivoire.
Head-to-Head: Nigeria vs Mozambique
– 1999 (Friendly): Mozambique 0-1 Nigeria
– 2009 (WCQ): Mozambique 0-0 Nigeria
– 2009 (WCQ): Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique
– 2010 (AFCON): Mozambique 0-3 Nigeria
– 2023 (Friendly): Mozambique 2-3 Nigeria
Kick-off is set for 8 PM local time on Monday as Nigeria aims to march into the quarterfinals of the 35th edition of the continent’s premier football tournament.