The Super Eagles who have a better head to head record with the Mambas of Mozambique will battle the southern African country Monday in the AFCON Round of 16 match at the Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco for the quarter-finals ticket.
The Eric Chelle-tutored side wrapped up a successful group stage campaign with a 3-1 win over Uganda on December 30 and the victory also extended their unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions, a three-match winning streak.
They eased into the Round of 16 as Group C winners, boasting a 100 per cent win record from three matches and they are on a mission to clinch a fourth AFCON title, and their first trophy since 2013 when they lifted it in South Africa.
Mozambique, on the other hand, were inconsistent in the group stage, having lost 2-1 to Cameroon on December 31 and it was their second defeat in their last three matches across all competitions, including a famous win over Gabon.
The Mambas managed to advance to the knockout phase for the first time after collecting three points from three games in Group C, progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams and they are hoping to create more history in Morocco.
The winner between Nigeria and Mozambique will take on either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarterfinals on January 10 at the Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Meanwhile the duo of Ryan Alebiosu and Cyriel Dessers have been ruled out of the match against Mozambique, but the Super Eagles have no suspension worries coming into the crucial encounter.
Meanwhile, Mozambique also do not have suspension concerns, but the Mambas’ medical team have been sweating over the fitness of Diogo Calila and Nené.
