The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, is set for a crucial knockout battle at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. They will face Mozambique in the Round of 16 on Monday, January 5th, 2026, at the Complexe Sportif de Fes in Morocco.
Lookman's Focus on Team Goals Over Personal Praise
In-form attacker Ademola Lookman, who has been instrumental in Nigeria's flawless group stage, has sent a clear and resolute message to their upcoming opponents. Despite being named in the AFCON Group Phase Best XI after contributing two goals and two assists in three games, Lookman emphasized that individual recognition is not the team's primary objective.
"Yeah, we had a great run in the group stage and I am thankful to all who voted. The selection is not just for me, but for my entire teammates, because their efforts on the pitch contributed to my selection," Lookman stated via theNFF.com. He quickly added, "However, this is not the vision for our team. We have set targets to accomplish here in Morocco, and we are nowhere near our targets yet."
Nigeria's Historic Legacy and Current Momentum
The Super Eagles enter this match with significant historical weight and current form on their side. Nigeria is the most decorated nation in AFCON history, having won the title three times, alongside five silver and eight bronze medals. A victory on Monday would mark their 18th appearance in the tournament's quarter-finals.
The team is unbeaten in the competition so far, having won all three of their group stage matches. Their attacking prowess was on full display as they scored eight goals while conceding four. This dominant performance has even led analytics giants like Opta to significantly upgrade Nigeria's probability of winning the entire tournament, according to earlier reports.
The Underdog Threat from Mozambique
Despite Nigeria's favouritism, the encounter is not without potential pitfalls. Mozambique's Mambas are making their first-ever appearance in the AFCON knockout stages, a historic achievement that has filled the team with confidence and a nothing-to-lose attitude.
They have already proven their capability to cause an upset, securing a memorable 3-2 victory over Gabon and giving a strong challenge to Cameroon in a narrow defeat during the group phase. Their journey echoes the unpredictable nature of the tournament, reminiscent of when Tunisia knocked Nigeria out in the Round of 16 four years prior in Garoua.
Both coaches, Nigeria's Eric Chelle and Mozambique's Chiquinho Conde, have kept their tactical preparations closely guarded, setting the stage for a fiercely contested match where experience will battle against fearless ambition.
As the stage is set in Fez, Lookman and his teammates are determined to use their experience and quality to navigate past the Mozambican challenge. Their eyes remain fixed on the ultimate prize: securing Nigeria's fourth AFCON crown and further cementing their legendary status in African football.
