AFCON
History, Form Favour Nigeria Ahead of AFCON Clash with Mozambique
By Kunle Solaja, Rabat enroute Fes
Nigeria will resume their push for a fourth continental crown this Monday when they face Mozambique in a Round of 16 clash at the Stade de Fes.
The Super Eagles go into the duel in buoyant mood after a flawless group-stage campaign, while Mozambique’s Mambas are making history by reaching the knockout phase of the competition for the first time.
Nigeria, three-time champions, are chasing a fourth AFCON title and will be keen to translate their group-stage authority into another deep run.
It will be only the second meeting between the two sides at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their previous encounter came in the final group game of the 2010 tournament, when Nigeria recorded a commanding 3–0 victory. Peter Odemwingie struck twice either side of half-time, while Obafemi Martins added a late third.
Overall, the teams have met five times across all competitions, with Nigeria unbeaten, recording four wins and one draw.
They were also paired in the second round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which doubled as AFCON qualifiers.
The first leg in Maputo in March 2009 ended goalless before Nigeria edged the return fixture 1–0 in October, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Victor Obinna. Nigeria went on to qualify for the World Cup, while both teams reached the 2010 AFCON finals.
Their most recent meeting was a friendly international in October 2023 in Albufeira, Portugal, which Nigeria won 3–2. Goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon sealed the win, with Geny Catamo and Faisal replying for Mozambique.
Nigeria’s group-stage performance in this edition has been one of their most convincing at AFCON. They have now won all three group matches for the fourth time overall, having previously achieved the feat in 1992, 2006 and 2021 — with the 1992 edition featuring three-team groups.
Victory over Uganda marked Nigeria’s 61st win in AFCON history, the second-highest total in the competition’s history, behind only Egypt.
The Super Eagles scored eight goals in the group phase, their highest tally at this stage of the competition, and found the net at least twice in each group match for the first time at AFCON.
However, they also conceded four goals, taking their total goals conceded in AFCON history to 99. Another concession would see Nigeria become the fourth nation to concede 100 or more goals at the tournament, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Tunisia.
Nigeria have scored in their last 10 AFCON matches — their longest scoring streak at the tournament — but have also conceded in each of their last five games. Their last clean sheet came in a 1–0 quarter-final win over Angola in 2023.
This will be Nigeria’s fourth appearance in the Round of 16 since the format was introduced. They progressed in 2019 and 2023 but were eliminated in 2021. Notable knockout victories include a 3–2 win over Cameroon in 2019, inspired by a brace from Odion Ighalo, and a 2–0 success against the same opponents in 2023, when Ademola Lookman scored both goals.
A win over Mozambique would send Nigeria into the quarter-finals for the 12th time. Since the quarter-final stage was introduced in 1992, the Super Eagles have failed to reach the last eight only once — a reminder of both their pedigree and the expectations that follow them into Monday night’s encounter in Fes.
Nigeria versus Mozambique: Head-to-Head
TEAM P W D L GF GA Nigeria 5 4 1 0 7 2 Mozambique 5 0 1 4 2 7 DATE MATCH/VENUE SCORES 13 August 1999 Friendly, Maputo Mozambique 0-1 Nigeria 29 March 2009 World Cup qualifier, Maputo Mozambique 0-0 Nigeria 11 October 2009 World Cup qualifier, Abuja Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique 20 January 2010 AFCON, Lubango, Angola Mozambique 0-3 Nigeria 16 October 2023 Friendly, Albufeira, Portugal Mozambique 2-3 Nigeria
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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