Former Cameroon international Joel Epalle has warned Nigeria of the threat posed by Mozambique ahead of Monday’s round of 16 clash at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco, SportPremi reports.
The Super Eagles and the Mambas face-off in the first knockout round to determine who advances to the last eight of the continental tournament.
Nigeria finished as Group C winners with a perfect record, alongside Algeria who also breezed through Group E as the two nations that achieved the feat during the group stage in Morocco.
They recorded impressive wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, scoring eight goals in the three matches – the highest so far at the tournament.
Meanwhile, Mozambique qualified as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams, after recording a single win from three matches and suffering narrow defeats to Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Epalle cautions Nigeria to be wary of Mozambique’s threat
Joel Epalle who won the African Cup of Nations tournament with Cameroon in 2002, has warned Nigeria to be wary of the threat posed by Mozambique ahead of their round of 16 clash.
According to the iconic Cameroonian, the Mambas’ structure have made them one of the most impressive teams so far in Morocco, despite their third place finish during the group stage.
“I’d say Mozambique”, Joel Epalle stated when asked the beat team he has watched so far at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament.
“I didn’t necessarily expect them to perform at this level. Tactically, they were very well organized. To go far in the AFCON, you need athletic qualities, but the Mozambicans are quite skillful—they played with freedom and confidence. Their football relied on sharp transitions, executed perfectly.
“Also, the fact that their players are mainly made from the local league and their coach is national too contributed. The coach, himself a former international, was able to implement his philosophy, and the players delivered”, he continued.
However, Epalle still believes Nigeria will advance from the tie into the quarterfinals alongside other favourites.
“It will likely be a continuation of what the favorites showed in the group stage. There might be a few surprises, but given the matchups, logic will probably prevail with Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria advancing”, he concluded.
Nigeria and Mozambique will clash at the round of 16 of the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco on Monday at the Fez Stadium.
The winner of the round will then progress to face the winner of the clash between DR Congo and Algeria in the last eight, setting up an opportunity for the Super Eagles avenge their defeat to the former in the CAF playoff final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
