Nigeria vs Mozambique Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Nigeria appear to be rediscovering some form just at the right time as the Super Eagles begin their knockout campaign against a stubborn Mozambique side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Nigeria preview: Superb Super Eagles
Eric Chelle improved Nigeria but the disarray he found when taking over wasn’t enough to turn the performances around in the CAF playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in November, but the African giants appear to have found form in this tournament.
The Nigerians performed very well in the group stages with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania before an entertaining 3-2 win against Tunisia and then a comfortable and impressive 3-1 defeat of Uganda to finish at the top of their group.
Mozambique preview: Stubborn Mozambique
In their recent qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mozambique performed reasonably well and have become a lot tougher to beat and they have been an awkward opposition in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations thus far.
Mozambique were drawn into a so-called ‘group of death’ in Group F and saw them suffer narrow defeats to the Ivory Coast and Cameroon, sandwiching an entertaining and thrilling 3-2 win against a strong Gabon side.
Nigeria team news: Back to full strength
Nigeria made a few changes for their final game against Uganda but they should return to full strength, albeit they remain without Ryan Alebiosu and Cyriel Dessers due to injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): NwabalI; Onyemaechi, Ajayi, Bassey, Osayi-Samuel; Ndidi, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Lookman, Adams; Osimhen
Unavailable: Alebiosu (Injured), Dessers (Injured)
Questionable:
Mozambique team news: No Diogo Calila
Mozambique’s key right-back Diogo Calila was forced off after 15 minutes against the Cameroonians the other day and he is now missing through injury, expected to be replaced in the eleven by Bruno Langa. Nene is also unavailable.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Siluane; Langa, Mexer, Chamboco, Reinildo; Guima, Amade; Catamo, Domingues, Witi; Bangal
Unavailable: Diogo Calila (Injured), Nene (Injured)
Questionable:
Nigeria vs Mozambique prediction
The Nigerians do, as they have for a while despite their underperformance, have what is a star studded squad that boasts the likes of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen in the final third. The latter is yet to really shine but he remains, arguably, the best striker in the tournament and leading the line of an impressive Nigeria side. Mozambique have perhaps shown their level of being able to bloody the nose of stronger sides but still falling short in terms of the actual result.
Nigeria vs Mozambique tip: Nigeria to win
