AFCON 2025: Nigeria Vs Mozambique Preview, Kick-off Time, Team News

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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is in its business phase. In a Round of 16 tie, Nigeria and Mozambique will face off against them in a tie for the title. &nbsp,

One of only two teams that included Algeria in the 2026 World Cup, the Super Eagles, who had suffered the heartache of missing out on the tournament, finished the tournament on a high note by winning all three of their group stage encounters. &nbsp,

In Group C, Nigeria, under the direction of Coach Eric Chelle, blew past Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda to set up a confrontation with Mozambique’s Mambas. &nbsp,

On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)

However, their performance at the AFCON in 2025 was less impressive than that of their rivals. One of their four best third-placed teams made it to the knockouts, the Southern Africans. In order to advance to the Round of 16, they lost two Group F matches but won one against Gabon. &nbsp,

Geny Catamo, a 10-year-old midfielder for Mozambique, celebrates scoring his nation’s first goal in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F game between Mozambique and Cameroon at Agadir on December 31, 2025. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

Mozambique’s match with Nigeria is their first-ever AFCON knockout match, unlike the three-time champions.

Team News, Important Players, and Nigeria vs. Mozambique

Mozambique has lost a clean sheet in each of its 18 AFCON games. The Super Eagles scored the group’s highest goal total, which they need to improve against a Nigerian side with plenty of attacking options. &nbsp,

The group phase’s top coaches, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman, will provide the frontline support, according to Chelle, who was named the best coach in the group phase. &nbsp,

The Franco-Malian coach is anticipated to have regular players like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Stanley Nwabali, Frank Onyeka, and Akor Adams, with no injury concerns for key players. &nbsp,

Raphael Onyedika’s strong start puts him in a strong position, thanks to his brace against Uganda. &nbsp,

The Mambas can count on Geny Catamo, who has so far scored two of their four goals, even though Chiquinho Conde and his team do not parade stars of Nigerian caliber. Ryan Alebiosu and Cyriel Dessers are both sidelined and Ryan is out of the tournament with a broken ankle. &nbsp,

On December 31, 2025, during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Mozambique and Cameroon at the Grand Stadium in Agadir, head coach Chiquinho Conde yells instructions to his players from the touchline. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

A Head-to-Head Comparaison between Nigeria and Mozambique

The two countries will play in the AFCON on Monday for the second time, the first of which took place in Angola in 2010. With the help of Peter Odemwingie and the pacy Obafemi Martins, the Super Eagles defeated Mozambique 3-0. &nbsp,

Nigeria and Mozambique have played five games overall, with the West Africans winning four and drawing one. In a friendly match that took place in Portugal in 2023, the Super Eagles defeated their rivals by 3-2.