Nigeria vs Mozambique: Match preview, team news, probable lineup as Super Eagles ambush the Mambas

Nigeria will play their second friendly in October when they square off against Mozambique at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira on Monday.

The Super Eagles continued preparing for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they traded tackles with Saudi Arabia at the Estadio Municipal De Portimao on Friday.

Both teams played a thrilling 2-2 draw, but Nigeria would feel they missed the chance to record their first-ever win over the Green Falcons.

After failing to convert numerous chances in the first half, Nigeria fell behind on the hour mark. But Jose Peseiro’s men scored two goals in eight minutes to seize the advantage in the encounter.

The Super Eagles could not hold on for the win, though, as Saudi Arabia netted a late equaliser via a deflected free-kick.

In Mozambique, Nigeria will face a tricky opponent who are in the middle of a positive patch of form.

The Mambas have avoided defeat in six of their last seven matches, including wins over Rwanda, Mauritius, and the Benin Republic.

Also on Friday, Mozambique were forced to a 1-1 draw by Angola, and the East African nation will want to go one step better when they lock horns with Nigeria on Monday.

Nigeria and Mozambique have qualified for the 2023 Africa Nations Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and both teams will look to test the level of their preparations for the tournament.

Head-to-head

Mozambique and Nigeria are meeting for the first time since January 2014, when the Super Eagles CHAN team recorded a 4-2 victory in the Africa Nations Championship.

Aside from that, the Super Eagles have met the Mambas four times, winning three and drawing one, with five goals scored and none conceded across all competitions.

The last friendly match between the two countries came in August 1999, when Gabriel Okolosi’s goal gave Nigeria a 0-1 win in Maputo.

Team news

Victor Osimhen will likely miss the friendly with Mozambique as the Napoli striker picked up a knock in the second half of the game against Saudi Arabia.

Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored Nigeria’s second goal on Friday, could also be unavailable as he has reportedly left camp early for family reasons.

Head coach Jose Peseiro is also expected to rejig his starting lineup following the less-than-impressive performances of some players.

Hapoel Jerusalem star Adebayo Adeleye could come in for goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who was at fault for the first goal Nigeria conceded against the Saudi Arabians.

Nantes star Moses Simon impressed after coming on as a substitute three days ago, and he could be preferred to Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.

Fernabahce fully-back Bright Osayi-Samuel could replace Tyronne Ebuehi in the starting lineup, while OGC Nice ace Terem Moffi could partner Victor Boniface in the attack.

Coach Peseiro can unleash Real Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq from the bench.

Nigeria’s possible starting lineup: Adeleye; Onyemaechi, Bassey, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel; Chukwueze, Ndidi, Iwobi, Simon; Boniface, Moffi.

Mozambique’s possible starting lineup:
Fasistencio; Langa, Nene, Dove, Domingos; Guima, Amadu; Witi; Catamo, Gilfo, Ratifo.

Match details

Game: Nigeria vs Mozambique
Competition: International friendly
Venue: Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Portugal
Date: Monday, October 16, 2023
Kickoff time: 4 pm (local time)

What is next?

Nigeria will return to competitive action on November 13 when they take on Lesotho in their Group C opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, one week before taking on Zimbabwe in the second group outing.

In Group G, Mozambique will square off against Botswana and Angola.