AFCON 2025: Nigeria to face Mozambique in tournament opener

Nigeria to Face Mozambique in Knockout Clash at AFCON 2025

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face off against Mozambique in a knockout match at the Fez Stadium in Morocco on Monday at 8pm GMT. The two teams are vying for a spot in the quarterfinals, with Nigeria seeking their fourth title and Mozambique looking to make history.

Nigeria has been one of the top-performing teams in the tournament, boasting an impressive squad depth and ranking 74th in the world. They have moved on from their disappointment at missing out on the FIFA World Cup and are flying high on the back of a talented squad featuring Ademola Lookman, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Osimhen, and Alex Iwobi.

Mozambique, ranked 102nd in the world, has advanced to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams. They lost two group stage games but won one against Gabon, ending a 40-year wait for a victory at the continental tournament. This will be Mozambique’s first appearance in AFCON’s knockout stages.

The winner of this match will progress to Marrakesh to face the winner of the Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo match on January 10. Nigeria has a strong record against Mozambique, having won four out of five previous encounters. The teams last met in a friendly in October 2023, with Nigeria winning 3-2.

Nigeria’s squad is expected to be bolstered by key contributors such as Lookman, Onyedika, and Iwobi. Coach Eric Chelle may retain Onyedika in midfield after his brace in the previous game. The match will take place at the Fez Stadium in Morocco on Monday at 8pm GMT.

Source: Al Jazeera