Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has named a full-strength Super Eagles side for Monday night’s Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 clash against Mozambique, restoring his senior players after wholesale rotation in the final group game, Soccernet.ng reports.
With knockout football now in play, Chelle has abandoned caution for conviction, bringing back Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi as Nigeria seek a place in the quarter-finals at the Fez Stadium in Morocco.
The Super Eagles had already secured qualification before their final group match against Uganda, allowing Chelle to rest several key figures.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi and forward Lookman were protected from potential suspension, while Osimhen was withdrawn late after an extended run-out.
That measured gamble has now ended.
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Chelle restores trusted spine as Nigeria raise tempo
Nwabali returns between the posts ahead of Francis Uzoho, reinstating the goalkeeper who has anchored Nigeria’s defensive solidity throughout the tournament.
In front of him, the familiar back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi is restored. It is the same unit that delivered Nigeria’s assured group-stage performance against Tunisia.
In midfield, Chelle leans heavily on experience and balance. Ndidi resumes his holding role, with Alex Iwobi providing progression and control. Frank Onyeka shrugs off an injury concern to add energy and dynamism to the midfield.
Samuel Chukwueze and Raphael Onyedika drop to the bench despite impressing against Uganda. Lookman returns on the left, having scored in Nigeria’s opening two group victories and emerged as one of the tournament’s most decisive wide attackers.
Up front, Osimhen leads the line alongside Akor Adams, a pairing Chelle trusts for their pressing chemistry and movement, despite Paul Onuachu’s goalscoring cameo in the group finale. Adams is still searching for his first goal of the tournament, but his tactical discipline has earned the coach’s confidence.
Mozambique offer danger despite narrow escape
Nigeria enter the contest as favourites after topping their group with wins over Tanzania and Tunisia, capped by a 3–1 victory over Uganda that confirmed first place. Yet Chelle has warned against complacency.
Mozambique arrive as underdogs but not passengers. Despite narrow defeats to Ivory Coast and Cameroon, their dramatic 3-2 win over Gabon was enough to carry them through, and the Mambas have already shown they can punish defensive lapses.
Nigeria, however, boast a dominant historical record in the fixture and arrives with momentum, depth and clarity of purpose.
With Osimhen’s edge, Lookman’s form and Ndidi’s authority, Chelle has thrown down his strongest hand, a clear signal that the Super Eagles intend to go deep in Morocco.
Kick-off: 7pm GMT, Monday January 5, 2026
Venue: Fez Stadium, Morocco
Confirmed Nigeria XI (4-4-2):
Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
- Injured: Dessers, Alebiosu
