As the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 moves deeper into knockout territory, attention on Monday shifts firmly to the Round of 16 fixtures still to be decided, with Nigeria’s clash against Mozambique emerging as one of the day’s most closely watched encounters.
While four teams have already secured quarter-final places, several heavyweights remain under pressure as Africa’s biggest football tournament enters its most unforgiving phase, where a single match can end a nation’s title hopes.
Nigeria, one of the tournament’s most in-form sides, face Mozambique at the Fes Sports Complex in a Round-of-16 tie that pits pedigree against resolve. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 am Central African Time, with the Super Eagles widely viewed as favourites after a flawless group-stage campaign.
Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde has acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insists his side will not be intimidated.
‘Play without fear’
“As a team, we know we will face the best the further we go in the tournament,” Conde tells Pan African Football. “We can’t say we are happy to face Nigeria. Nigeria is a strong team, and no one will want to play against them.
“But it is the task that we have at hand,” he added. “We will show them respect but play without fear.”
Mozambique, which progressed from the group stage with three points, are also dealing with injury concerns ahead of the tie.
Defenders Nené and Diogo Calila are both struggling with muscle injuries picked up during the group phase. Team doctor Mussa Calú confirmed the pair are undergoing treatment but said their availability for the knockout match cannot be guaranteed.
Confident Nigeria
Nigeria, by contrast, arrive in Fez brimming with confidence but keen to avoid complacency. The Super Eagles won all three of their group matches — a feat they have now achieved four times in their AFCON history — and are chasing a first continental title since 2013.
Star forward Victor Osimhen has struck a note of caution despite Nigeria’s strong form.
“We respect every team, but we fear nobody,” the 27-year-old said. “The knockout phase will pose tougher challenges. We don’t get carried away by the hype. There is still a lot of work to do. We are taking it game by game.”
Osimhen, who scored against Tunisia in the group stage and captained Nigeria for the first time in the final group match against Uganda, said ending the country’s trophy drought remains the squad’s driving motivation.
“Ending that drought would mean everything,” Osimhen tells Olympics news. “We remind ourselves every day that we came to Morocco to win the trophy.”
Monday’s fixtures are part of a Round of 16 programme that will be completed on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Egypt face Benin, Algeria meet DR Congo, and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire take on Burkina Faso, with the outcomes set to complete the quarter-final line-up.
Qualified teams
So far, Senegal, Mali, hosts Morocco and Cameroon have booked their places in the last eight.
Senegal opened the knockout phase with a composed win over Sudan, while Mali edged Tunisia on penalties despite playing much of the match with ten men.
Morocco advanced with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania, before Cameroon set up a blockbuster quarter-final against the hosts by defeating South Africa 2–1.
The quarter-finals will be played on Friday 9 January and Saturday 10 January, as AFCON 2025 builds towards the final on 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
