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WHO: Nigeria vs Mozambique
What: CAF African Cup of Nations
Or: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
When: Monday at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the accumulation on Al Jazeera Sports from 4:00 p.m. GMT ahead of our text comments feed.
Fun, flair and fragility sum up Nigeria’s ongoing CAN 2025 campaign.
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As the tournament’s main attacking force, Nigeria have established themselves as title contenders early on, but although the West Africans boast impressive squad depth, they still need to shore up a leaky defense.
The Super Eagles quickly overcame the heartbreak of missing the FIFA World Cup and flew high in Morocco thanks to a talented squad including Ademola Lookman, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi.
As one of only two teams to maintain a perfect record in the group stage, the former champions now face Mozambique, who advanced past the group stage for the first time, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Ranked 102nd in the world, Mozambique are in contention for a historic round of 16, facing the daunting task of facing a team ranked 74 places above them.
Here’s everything you need to know about Nigeria vs Mozambique:
How did Nigeria reach the knockout stages?
The African powerhouse qualified for the round of 16 at the top of Group C.recording victories over Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Nigeria was the first team to reach the knockout stages with a 100 percent record.
How did Mozambique reach the round of 16?
Mozambique advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams. The Mambas lost two Group F matches and won one, against Gabon, ending a 40-year wait for a victory at the continental tournament. They made their first appearance in the round of 16 of the CAN.
Who will the winner face in the next round?
The winner of the Nigeria-Mozambique match will travel to Marrakech to face the winner of the Algeria-Democratic Republic of Congo match. quarter final on January 10.
Who are the best players in Nigeria?
With two goals and two assists, striker Lookman was one of the standout Nigerian players of the tournament. The 28-year-old was the architect of the team’s victories in their first two matches, equally influential as a playmaker and finisher.
Rested for the final group match, Lookman should bring out all his weapons against his East African opponents.
Midfielder Onyedika, who scored twice in the last game, is another key contributor while Iwobi pulls the strings in midfield, and striker Osimhen remains one of the most feared strikers in the competition.
Who are the best players in Mozambique?
Winger Geny Catamo scored two of Mozambique’s four goals at the tournament and played a central role in their historic qualification. Striker Faisal Bangal and right-back Diogo Calila also found the net.
Nigeria and Mozambique train guides
Nigeria: WWWLL
Mozambique:LWLLD
- Nigeria finished the group stage with eight goals, the highest total in the competition, while also recording the highest average possession rate (66%).
- Nigeria won all three of their group matches for the first time since 2021.
- Mozambique’s victory against Gabon is its only victory in 18 CAN matches (4 draws, 13 defeats).
- Mozambique are yet to keep a clean sheet at the AFCON, conceding in all 18 matches.
Face to face
Nigeria and Mozambique have met in five previous meetings in competitive and friendly matches.
Nigeria dominates the confrontation record with four wins and one draw.
When did Nigeria and Mozambique last meet?
The teams last met in a friendly match in Albufeira, Portugal in October 2023, when Nigeria won 3-2.
Nigeria vs Mozambique – statistical attack
Monday’s match will be their second meeting in CAN. Their previous meeting in CAN took place during the last group match of the 2010 edition, when Nigeria won 3-0.
This is Nigeria’s 16th consecutive appearance in the round of 16, having last failed to progress beyond the group stage in 1982.
Has Nigeria ever won an AFCON title?
Nigeria are three-time CAN champions, having won the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
They have also finished second five times. This is their 21st participation in the continental championship.
Has Mozambique ever won a CAN title?
No. This is their sixth participation in the tournament, and the 2025 edition already marks their best result.
Nigeria team news
Cyriel Dessers, who has yet to play, and Ryan Alebiosu, who made his debut in the previous match, are both ruled out due to injury. Their absence is unlikely to have a major impact as he is not a regular starter either.
Coach Eric Chelle was able to keep Onyedika in midfield after his brace in the last match, which earned him player of the match honors.
The planned composition of Nigeria
Stanley Nwabili (goalkeeper); Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi; Osimhen, Lookman
Mozambique team news
Mozambique will be without Calila, who was sent off in the last match after just 15 minutes due to injury. Nene, who scored an own goal against Cameroon, is also injured.
The planned composition of Mozambique
Ivane Urrubal (goalkeeper); Infren Nani, Mexer, Reinildo Mandava, Bruno Langa; Guima, Manuel Kambala; Catamo, Elias Pelembe, Witi; Bengal
