Super Eagles out to end Mambas' fairytale

Nigeria will go head-to-head with Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match at the Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco, on Monday.

Kick-off is at 9:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Super Eagles wrapped up a successful group stage campaign with a 3-1 win over Uganda on December 30 and the victory also extended their unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions, a three-match winning streak.

Nigeria eased into the Round of 16 as Group C winners, boasting a 100 per cent win record from three matches and they are on a mission to clinch a fourth AFCON title, and their first trophy since 2013 when they lifted it in South Africa.

Mozambique, on the other hand, were inconsistent in the group stage, having lost 2-1 to Cameroon on December 31 and it was their second defeat in their last three matches across all competitions, including a famous win over Gabon.

The Mambas managed to advance to the knockout phase for the first time after collecting three points from three games in Group C, progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams and they are hoping to create more history in Morocco.

The winner between Nigeria and Mozambique will take on either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarterfinals on January 10 at the Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco.

TEAM NEWS

The Nigerian duo of Ryan Alebiosu and Cyriel Dessers have been ruled out of the match against Mozambique, but the Super Eagles have no suspension worries coming into the crucial encounter.

Meanwhile, Mozambique also do not have suspension concerns, but the Mambas' medical team have been sweating over the fitness of Diogo Calila and Nené.

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WHAT WAS SAID?

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle

“Mozambique are likely to be our opponents in the next round. It won’t be easy because they are a good team and they play well," Chelle said.

“I am happy about this recognition (Best Coach of the Group Stage). But I would like to give the credit to my backroom staff who work tirelessly to make the team function. This development is a good motivation for me, the players and the entire squad.

“However, this is not why we are here. We are here for something bigger and better. We will not get ahead of ourselves and think we are the best. We will continue to work hard and stay focused for every match as it comes.”

Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde

” As a team, we know we will face the best the further we go in the tournament," Conde said.

"We can’t say we are happy to face Nigeria because a win would have taken us away from that path or maybe if we finished second or third. Nigeria is a strong team and no one will want to play against them.

"But it’s the task that we have at hand and we will approach the game like the way we do against the top teams in Africa. Show them respect but play without fear.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Nigeria and Mozambique have met five times across all competitions since their maiden meeting in August 1999.

The Super Eagles boast an unbeaten record against the Mambas, having won four matches and drawn one.

The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 3-2 win in favour of Nigeria in an international friendly match played at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira in Albufeira, Portugal, in October 2023.