AFCON 2025: Super Eagles set to battle Mozambique in Round of 16

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Mozambique in the Round of 16 encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The tournament permutations are increasingly pointing toward a meeting between the two sides once the group stage concludes.

Nigeria has enjoyed a commanding start to their Group C campaign, picking up six points from their opening two matches.

The three-time African champions now need only to avoid defeat against Uganda in their final group fixture on Tuesday, December 30, to secure top spot in the group.

Under the AFCON knockout format, the winner of Group C is slated to face one of the four best third-placed teams drawn from Groups A, B, or F. With results across the tournament taking shape, Mozambique has emerged as the most likely opponent.

The Mambas, competing in Group F, have collected three points from their first two matches, recording one win and one defeat.

That return places them among the strongest third-placed teams and guarantees their progression to the knockout stage, regardless of the result of their final group game against Cameroon on December 31.

AFCON’s expanded format sees the top two teams from each of the six groups advance automatically, joined by the four best-ranked third-placed sides to complete the Round of 16 lineup.

Meanwhile, other potential third-placed contenders from Groups A and B, Comoros and Angola, have already been eliminated after finishing their groups with just two points each.

Zambia’s hopes were also ended following a heavy 3–0 defeat to host nation Morocco, while Angola’s 0–0 draw with Egypt proved insufficient for progression.

If the projected fixtures are confirmed, Nigeria and Mozambique will meet in the Round of 16 on January 5, 2026, at the Fez Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 pm local time.