Mozambique's Mambas face a major setback ahead of their historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Round of 16 clash against Nigeria's Super Eagles on January 5, 2026, at Fez Stadium. Two pivotal players have been ruled out, weakening the debutants' lineup against the three-time champions.
Reports confirm that Mozambique's key duo likely standout attackers or midfielders instrumental in their surprise group stage run will miss the 8pm WAT kickoff due to injuries sustained during the tournament. Daily Post Nigeria broke the news on January 5, highlighting the impact on coach's tactics amid Nigeria's perfect record.
Nigeria, topping their group with nine points and eight goals, benefits from the absences alongside teammate Samuel Chukwueze's demands for discipline and focus. Mozambique's historic knockout debut now hinges on depth players, with Victor Osimhen leading Super Eagles' attack.
The game pits Nigeria's firepower against Mozambique's resilience, following Super Eagles' wins over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Fans anticipate a quarter-final spot for Nigeria despite their own injury concerns like Cyriel Dessers.