Monday and Tuesday nights will decide whether two of Africa’s traditional heavyweights, Nigeria and Algeria, can extend their Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, Soccernet.ng reports.
Victory for Nigeria and Algeria in their respective Round-of-16 clashes will see them join Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, and Mali in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025.
With the knockout phase now in full swing, fine margins, form, and tournament experience are expected to play decisive roles as the Round of 16 reaches its conclusion.
Nigeria vs Mozambique: Super Eagles favourite to tame Mambas
Nigeria will continue their push for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title when they face Mozambique on Monday night at the Stade de Fès, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm local time.
For the Super Eagles, the Round of 16 is familiar terrain. They have reached this stage more than a dozen times and, since the quarter-final format was introduced in 1992, have failed to make the last eight only once. Under the current system, Nigeria have progressed at this stage in 2019 and 2023, with their only recent setback coming against Tunisia in 2021.
Eric Chelle’s side arrive in Fès in formidable form. Nigeria swept through Group C with a perfect record, defeating Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to finish as one of only two teams, alongside Algeria, to win all three group matches.
Nigeria scored eight goals in the group phase, their highest-ever tally at this stage of an AFCON, and found the net at least twice in every group match for the first time in tournament history. Overall, the Super Eagles have now scored 152 goals in 107 AFCON matches since debuting in 1963.
Individually, the goals have been shared widely. Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika each struck twice, while Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi and Paul Onuachu also contributed. Onuachu’s goal against Uganda made him the 70th different Nigerian player to score at the Africa Cup of Nations, a marker of depth few nations can match.
Defensively, however, there is a note of caution. Nigeria have conceded in each of their last five AFCON matches and are one goal away from becoming only the fourth team to concede 100 goals in the competition’s history.
Mozambique, by contrast, are charting new territory. The Mambas are appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time after finishing third in Group F, following defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon either side of a historic win over Gabon.
That victory was Mozambique’s first-ever AFCON finals win and ensured progression at their sixth attempt. Across 18 AFCON matches, they have won once, drawn four and lost 13, conceding in every game they have played at the tournament.
Yet there are signs of growth. Mozambique have scored in successive matches at an AFCON for the first time, with Geny Catamo emerging as a key figure. His goals against Gabon and Cameroon made him the first Mozambican to score in back-to-back AFCON games, taking his tally to three goals and four direct contributions in just five appearances.
The head-to-head record, though, favours Nigeria. The Super Eagles are unbeaten in five previous meetings, including a 3-0 AFCON win in 2010 and a 3-2 friendly victory in October 2023.
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Algeria vs DR Congo: Desert Warriors hunt Leopards
Should Nigeria progress, they will meet the winner of Tuesday’s clash between Algeria and DR Congo.
Algeria have arrived in Morocco with purpose after disappointing group-stage exits in their last two AFCON campaigns.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side topped Group E with a perfect record, scoring eight goals and conceding just once. Their balance at both ends of the pitch has marked them out as serious contenders, and they have opened the scoring in each of their last six matches.
DR Congo, meanwhile, have built their run on discipline and defensive control. Unbeaten in eight matches, Sebastien Desabre’s men have conceded only twice in that span and have also developed a habit of scoring first, doing so in nine of their last 10 outings.
AFCON 2025 quarter-finalists: Who is already through and who can still join?
So far, four teams have already booked their quarter-final tickets. Senegal were the first to advance, continuing their reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent tournament sides with a controlled 3-1 victory over Sudan.
Mali followed, showing resilience and composure to edge past Tunisia on penalties despite being reduced to ten men for long spells.
Tournament hosts Morocco then kept their title hopes alive with a narrow but authoritative 1–0 win over Tanzania in Rabat, while Cameroon joined them after a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Africa.
Cameroon’s reward is a heavyweight quarter-final clash against the hosts, while Mali will lock horns with Senegal.
Beyond Nigeria and Algeria, several other nations remain in contention for the remaining quarter-final places.
Egypt, the tournament’s most successful side, face Benin in a tie that pits continental royalty against a well-organised underdog.
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire must navigate a tricky encounter against Burkina Faso, a side with a proven record of upsetting favourites at AFCON.
By the end of Tuesday night, the quarter-final line-up will be complete, setting the stage for a decisive final stretch of the competition.
