Kerr Predicts Tough Test for Super Eagles in AFCON Knockout Clash

Former Leeds United defender Dylan Kerr has warned that Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 tie against Mozambique will be anything but a walkover. Despite the Super Eagles entering the match as overwhelming favorites following a flawless group stage campaign, Kerr believes the unpredictability of knockout football could see the “Mambas” of Mozambique pull off a significant surprise. The high-stakes encounter, scheduled for Monday evening at the Fez Stadium in Morocco, marks a critical juncture for a Nigerian side hungry for its fourth continental title.

Nigeria’s historical record against Mozambique is formidable, with the West African giants boasting four wins and a draw in their five previous meetings. Their only prior AFCON encounter ended in a dominant 3-0 victory for the Super Eagles back in 2010, a result many fans hope to see repeated. However, Kerr, speaking to Flashscore, urged caution, noting that Mozambique’s first-ever progression to the knockout phase has filled them with a dangerous level of “nothing to lose” confidence. “You never know what can happen. It’ll be a tough game and can go either way,” Kerr remarked, adding that he actually “fancies” Mozambique to push the Eagles to their limit.

The Super Eagles’ journey so far has been characterized by offensive brilliance, with stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman helping the team secure a maximum nine points in Group C. Coach Eric Chelle has emphasized that despite the perfect record, the squad must remain grounded. “Only players who have good training sessions will have the chance to play,” Chelle stated ahead of the match, signaling that no player—regardless of their stature—is guaranteed a spot in the starting XI for this “all or nothing” fixture.

Mozambique’s path to the Round of 16 was more arduous, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams after a historic first-ever tournament victory against Gabon. Led by the dangerous Geny Catamo, the Mambas have shown they can score in successive matches for the first time in their AFCON history. Kerr believes this momentum, combined with the immense pressure now resting on Nigeria’s shoulders to maintain their winning streak, creates the perfect recipe for a “giant-killing” scenario if the Super Eagles lose focus.

The match is set to kick off at 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time on Monday, January 5, 2026. For Nigeria, a victory would not only silence the skeptics like Kerr but also set up a tantalizing quarter-final showdown against the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo clash. As the continent watches, the question remains: will the Super Eagles’ class prevail, or will Mozambique’s underdog spirit lead to one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history?