AFCON 2025 Knockout Stage: Nigeria vs Mozambique Confirmed

AFCON 2025 Knockout Stage: Nigeria vs Mozambique Confirmed

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria have been drawn against Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, setting up only the sixth senior-level meeting between the two nations as the knockout phase gets underway in Morocco.

The encounter will take place on Monday, 5 January, at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00. The venue has served as Nigeria’s base throughout their Group C campaign and will once again host the three-time African champions as they pursue a place in the quarter-finals.

Nigeria progressed through the group stage in commanding fashion, winning all three of their 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 found the back of the net during an impressive group run.

Mozambique’s path to the knockout stages was more challenging. The Mambas opened their campaign with a defeat to defending champions Côte d’Ivoire before bouncing back with a hard-fought victory over Gabon. They concluded the group phase with a narrow 2–1 loss to Cameroon on Wednesday evening but did enough to secure progression.

Monday’s contest is expected to be keenly contested, with Mozambique having shown resilience and a willingness to compete against more fancied opponents. Nigeria, however, will draw confidence from a strong historical record against the southern African side.

Of their five previous meetings, the Super Eagles have won four. Their only prior AFCON encounter came in January 2010 in Lubango, Angola, where Nigeria claimed a convincing 3–0 victory. The two sides also met in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, drawing 0–0 in Maputo before Nigeria edged a 1–0 win in Abuja, courtesy of a dramatic late strike from Obinna Nsofor. More recently, Nigeria secured a 3–2 friendly victory in Lisbon in October 2023.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, both sides will be aiming to seize their moment in what promises to be an intense knockout clash.

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures

Mali vs Tunisia

Morocco vs Tanzania

Algeria vs DR Congo

Egypt vs Benin Republic

Senegal vs Sudan

Nigeria vs Mozambique

South Africa vs Cameroon

Burkina Faso vs Côte d’Ivoire

Nigeria vs Mozambique: Head-to-Head Record

17 Aug 1999: Mozambique 0–1 Nigeria (Friendly, Maputo)

29 Mar 2009: Mozambique 0–0 Nigeria (World Cup qualifier, Maputo)

11 Oct 2009: Nigeria 1–0 Mozambique (World Cup qualifier, Abuja)

20 Jan 2010: Mozambique 0–3 Nigeria (AFCON, Lubango)

16 Oct 2023: Mozambique 2–3 Nigeria (Friendly, Lisbon)