Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Mozambique’s Mambas in the Round of 16 of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, January 5, as both sides battle for a place in the quarterfinals in Morocco.
The encounter will take place at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, which has served as Nigeria’s base throughout the Group C campaign. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00pm, with the Super Eagles returning to familiar surroundings where they impressed during the group stage.
Nigeria swept through Group C in dominant fashion, winning all three matches while scoring eight goals and conceding four. Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika both netted twice, while Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Paul Onuachu also got on the scoresheet as the three-time African champions stamped their authority early in the tournament.
Mozambique, meanwhile, endured a more turbulent route to the knockout stage. The Mambas opened their campaign with a defeat to reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire, bounced back with a vital win over Gabon, and then fell 2–1 to Cameroon in their final group match. Despite the setback, they did enough to progress and will be eager to test themselves against one of Africa’s most decorated sides.
Monday’s clash promises fireworks, with Mozambique’s youthful side showing resilience and the ability to compete toe-to-toe with established heavyweights whenever called upon.
Past Meetings
Nigeria and Mozambique have met five times at senior level prior to this encounter, with the Super Eagles enjoying a clear historical advantage. Nigeria have won four of those meetings, while one match ended in a draw, leaving Mozambique still searching for their first victory over the West Africans.
Their most notable AFCON meeting came in January 2010 in Lubango, Angola, where Nigeria cruised to a commanding 3–0 victory. Other encounters include a 1–0 friendly win for Nigeria in Maputo in 1999, a pair of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that ended 0–0 in Maputo and 1–0 in Abuja, courtesy of a dramatic late goal from Obinna Nsofor and a thrilling 3–2 friendly win for Nigeria in Lisbon in October 2023.
As the race for continental glory intensifies, Nigeria will look to extend their dominance over Mozambique, while the Mambas aim to rewrite history on the AFCON stage.
