The Super Eagles are geared up for Monday night’s AFCON Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, aiming for their 18th quarter-final appearance .
With three titles, five silver, and eight bronze medals, Nigeria’s rich AFCON history is on the line.
The team dominated their group, winning three matches, scoring eight goals, and conceding four. Coach Eric Chelle’s side is looking formidable, but they’ll need to be cautious against Mozambique, who’ve made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
Mozambique’s got talented players like Nené, Bruno Langa, and Reinildo Mandava in defense, and Domingues, João Bonde, Chamito, and Faisal Bangal up front. But Chelle’s confident in his team’s structure and strategy .
Forward Victor Osimhen, on 32 goals in 49 matches for country, is expected to lead the onslaughts once more. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and midfielders Alex Iwobi are sure to return after taking a rest for the clash with Uganda, as will centre-back Semi Ajayi, wing-back Bright Osayi-Samuel and forward Ademola Lookman.
Coach Chelle, in admitting that the Eagles must forget the excellent job done in the group stage and get into knockout-phase mode in order to avoid a sucker punch, said: “We will not get ahead of ourselves and think we are the best. We will continue to work hard and stay focused for every match as it comes.”
Imediate past African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, who has scored twice and provided two assists so far in the tournament, spoke of his selection in the group phase’s Best IX: “Yeah, we had a great run in the group stage and I am thankful to all that voted. The selection is not just for me, but my entire team-mates, because their efforts on the pitch contributed to my selection.
“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.”
The Confederation of African Football has selected Cameroonian official Abdou Abdel Mefir as referee for Monday night’s encounter, with his compatriots Elvis Noupoue and Carine Atezambong as assistants.
