Who: Nigeria vs Mozambique
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
The place: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
When: Monday at 8pm (19:00 GMT)
How one can comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT prematurely of our textual content commentary stream.
Enjoyable, aptitude and fragility sum up Nigeria’s ongoing marketing campaign at AFCON 2025.
Advisable Tales
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Because the event’s main attacking pressure, Nigeria have laid down an early marker as title contenders however whereas the West Africans boast spectacular squad depth, they nonetheless have to shore up a leaky defence.
The Tremendous Eagles have moved on swiftly from the heartbreak of lacking out on the FIFA World Cup and have been flying excessive in Morocco on the again of a proficient squad that includes Ademola Lookman, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi.
As certainly one of solely two groups to take care of an ideal group-stage file, the previous champions now face Mozambique, who for the primary time superior previous the group stage, for a spot within the quarterfinals.
Ranked 102nd on the earth, Mozambique are up for a historic knockout look, dealing with the daunting activity of taking over a aspect ranked 74 locations above them.
Right here’s all the things you should find out about Nigeria vs Mozambique:
How did Nigeria attain the spherical of 16?
The African powerhouse soared into the knockouts because the desk toppers of Group C, registering victories over Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Nigeria have been the primary workforce to succeed in the final 16 with a one hundred pc file.
How did Mozambique attain the spherical of 16?
Mozambique superior as one of many 4 greatest third-placed sides. The Mambas misplaced two Group F video games and received one, in opposition to Gabon, which ended their 40-year watch for a victory on the continental event. They’re making their first look in AFCON’s knockout levels.
Who will the winner face within the subsequent spherical?
The winner of the Nigeria and Mozambique match will journey to Marrakesh to face the winner of the Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo match within the quarterfinal on January 10.
Who’re Nigeria’s greatest gamers?
With two objectives and two assists, ahead Lookman has been certainly one of Nigeria’s standout gamers on the event. The 28-year-old was the architect of the workforce’s victories of their opening two video games, equally influential as each a playmaker and a finisher.
Rested for the ultimate group match, Lookman is predicted to return out all weapons blazing in opposition to their East African opponents.
Midfielder Onyedika, who scored twice within the final match, is one other key contributor whereas Iwobi has been pulling the strings within the midfield, and striker Osimhen stays one of the vital feared attackers within the competitors.
Who’re Mozambique’s greatest gamers?
Winger Geny Catamo has scored two of Mozambique’s 4 objectives on the event and has been central to their historic qualification. Ahead Faisal Bangal and proper again Diogo Calila have additionally discovered the online.
Nigeria and Mozambique kind guides
Nigeria: W-W-W-L-L
Mozambique: L-W-L-L-D
- Nigeria completed the group stage with eight objectives, the very best tally within the competitors, whereas additionally recording the very best common possession fee (66 p.c).
- Nigeria have received all three of their group video games for the primary time since 2021.
- Mozambique’s victory over Gabon is their solely win in 18 AFCON matches (D4 L13).
- Mozambique are but to maintain a clear sheet at AFCON, conceding in all 18 video games.
Head-to-head
Nigeria and Mozambique have met in 5 earlier encounters throughout aggressive and pleasant video games.
Nigeria dominate the head-to-head file with 4 wins and a draw.
When did Nigeria and Mozambique final meet?
The groups final met in a pleasant in Albufeira, Portugal, in October 2023 when Nigeria received 3-2.
Nigeria vs Mozambique – stat assault
Monday’s recreation might be their second assembly at AFCON. Their earlier AFCON encounter got here within the closing group recreation of the 2010 version when Nigeria ran out 3-0 winners.
That is Nigeria’s sixteenth successive look within the knockout rounds, having final didn’t progress past the group stage in 1982.
Have Nigeria ever received an AFCON title?
Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions, having lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
In addition they completed as runners-up 5 instances. That is their twenty first look on the continental championship.
Have Mozambique ever received an AFCON title?
No. That is their sixth look on the event, and the 2025 version already marks their greatest end.
Nigeria workforce information
Cyriel Dessers, who’s but to function, and Ryan Alebiosu, who made his debut within the earlier recreation, are each dominated out by way of damage. Their absence is unlikely to have a significant impression as a result of neither is a daily starter.
Coach Eric Chelle may retain Onyedika in midfield after his brace within the final recreation, which earned him the participant of the match award.
Nigeria’s predicted lineup
Stanley Nwabili (goalkeeper); Shiny Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi; Osimhen, Lookman
Mozambique workforce information
Mozambique might be with out Calila, who was taken off within the final recreation after solely quarter-hour attributable to an damage. Nene, who scored an personal aim in opposition to Cameroon, can be injured.
Mozambique’s predicted lineup
Ivane Urrubal (goalkeeper); Infren Nani, Mexer, Reinildo Mandava, Bruno Langa; Guima, Manuel Kambala; Catamo, Elias Pelembe, Witi; Bangal