BETTING GUIDE: Nigeria vs Mozambique, match preview, team news and betting tip

Nigeria clash with Mozambique in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 at Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday night (10:00 p.m. kick-off), setting up an intriguing knockout battle, as the Super Eagles aim to keep their continental ambitions alive and advance deeper into the tournament.

They arrive with momentum and confidence after a flawless group-stage campaign, while Mozambique will see this tie as a free hit after already surpassing expectations by reaching the knockout rounds.

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Nigeria have been one of the standout sides of the tournament so far.

Alongside Algeria, they are the only team to win all three group matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just four.

Victories over Tanzania (2–1), Tunisia (3–2), and Uganda (3–1) showcased their attacking depth and intensity, even when rotating the squad.

Across their last five matches in all competitions, Nigeria have scored 12 goals and conceded seven, underlining their attacking emphasis.

Although this is a neutral venue, Nigeria’s “home” form in tournaments remains strong, built on dominance in transitions, vertical speed, and individual quality in the final third.

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From a team-news perspective, Nigeria are close to full strength and spoiled for options.

Ademola Lookman has been their standout performer, registering four goal contributions in just two AFCON appearances, while Victor Osimhen continues to lead the line with presence, movement, and finishing.

Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon provide width and creativity, while the midfield balance has allowed Nigeria to sustain pressure high up the pitch.

Ryan Alebiosu has been ruled out after sustaining a deep cut on his right leg, while Cyril Dessers is also unavailable due to a thigh injury.

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Mozambique’s route to the Round of 16 has been far less convincing.

The Mambas lost two of their three group games to Cameroon and Ivory Coast, conceding goals in all three matches, but edged Gabon 3-2 to secure progression.

In their last five matches, Mozambique have scored six goals and conceded ten, highlighting defensive fragility despite moments of attacking promise.

Their away and neutral-ground form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last six games overall.

While reaching this stage is an achievement, the underlying numbers suggest a side that struggles to contain high-quality opposition.

Team news for Mozambique points toward reliance on a small core of attacking threats.

Geny Catamo has been their brightest spark, contributing goals and assists throughout the tournament and accounting for much of their attacking output.

However, defensive issues persist, with Mozambique conceding two or more goals in four of their last five matches.

Their likely approach will be reactive, sitting deeper and attempting to exploit space in transition, but sustaining that plan against Nigeria’s pace and movement will be a major challenge.

In their meetings over the past decade and more, Nigeria have held the upper hand.

The Super Eagles beat Mozambique 3–2 in a friendly in October 2023, and earlier competitive ties at the Africa Cup of Nations saw Nigeria win 4–2 in January 2014 and 3–0 in January 2010.

Nigeria also secured a 1–0 World Cup qualifier win in October 2009, while Mozambique’s most notable result in this sequence was a 0–0 draw in a World Cup qualifier later that same March.

This history underscores Nigeria’s dominance in recent clashes, with multiple multi-goal victories and only one stalemate between the sides.

Key Pointers;

Nigeria ranks among the tournament’s most potent attacks, with eight goals scored and at least two goals in every AFCON match so far.

The Super Eagles are creating chances at an elite rate, registering 15 big chances so far.

Mozambique have struggled defensively, conceding in all their AFCON matches and allowing two or more goals in the majority of recent outings.

Nigeria’s scoring consistency extends beyond the tournament, having netted two or more goals in six of their last seven competitive matches.

Given the Super Eagles’ firepower and Mozambique’s defensive vulnerabilities, this game shapes up as another opportunity for Nigeria to impose themselves offensively.

Even if Mozambique contributes moments going forward, Nigeria’s depth and intensity should translate into multiple goals.

Prediction; Nigeria over 1.5 goals

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