As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations enters its decisive knockout phase, an unusual oracle has cast its prediction for Nigeria's crucial match. Nimbus Pronos, a cat famed for forecasting football results, has tipped the Super Eagles to defeat the Mambas of Mozambique in their Round of 16 encounter.
The Feline Forecast for the Knockout Clash
The much-anticipated match is scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2025, at 8 PM Nigerian time at the Complexe Sportif de Fes in Morocco. With a spot in the quarter-finals on the line, the pressure is immense for both sides. In a video shared on Instagram, Nimbus Pronos was presented with two bowls of food, each labeled with the names of the competing nations. Since a draw is impossible in a knockout match that must produce a winner, the cat's choice was clear-cut.
After a brief moment of hesitation and a side glance at the Mozambique plate, Nimbus proceeded to eat from the bowl marked Nigeria, thereby predicting a victory for the three-time African champions. This prediction adds a layer of intrigue to the sporting contest, though the cat's record is not flawless.
Paths to the Knockout Stage and Historical Context
The two teams arrived at this juncture via contrasting routes. Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect record, winning all three of their matches. Mozambique, meanwhile, secured their passage as one of the best third-placed teams, having finished third in Group F.
The historical statistics heavily favor the Super Eagles. According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria has won four of the five previous meetings between the two sides, drawing the other. Their sole AFCON encounter was in the 2010 edition in Angola, where Nigeria secured a convincing 3-0 victory in the group stage.
This match also represents a significant milestone disparity. While Nigeria is making its 18th appearance in the AFCON knockout stages, Mozambique is experiencing this phase of the competition for the very first time. The Super Eagles are the tournament's most decorated team with 16 medals.
Nimbus's Track Record and What Lies Ahead
The feline pundit also predicted Nigeria's group stage matches. It correctly forecasted wins against Tunisia and Uganda but was wrong in predicting a draw for the Super Eagles' match against Tanzania, which Nigeria won 2-1. In another prediction for the same day, Nimbus backed Egypt to defeat Benin.
Should Nigeria advance as predicted, they will face a formidable opponent in the quarter-final, with the winner of the match between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo awaiting. Nigeria has painful recent history with both: a semi-final loss to Algeria in AFCON 2019 and elimination from the World Cup playoffs by DR Congo in November 2024.
For fans eager to watch the match, it will be broadcast live on SuperSport channels on DStv and GoTV in Nigeria. Francophone audiences across Africa can tune in via Canal+ Afrique.
