Mozambique v Nigeria: Match preview, what to expect, team news, key players, kickoff time

The Super Eagles will square up against Mozambique in an international friendly on Monday evening.

It is the last game that will be played by the three-time African champions before the back-to-back games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

They will be seeking to put an end to a run of 15 games without a victory in international friendlies, a streak dating back to 2019.

Match preview 

Nigeria will be hoping to gain momentum ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next month and will be desperate for a positive result against Chiquinho Conde's side.

Nigeria head into the game as favourites due to the gulf in class between them and the Southern African side.

Team news

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro will not be able to count on the services of  Victor Osimhen and Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho who are out of the encounter due to separate reasons.

Osimhen has flown back to Naples to treat a hamstring injury while Iheanacho left camp to attend to an urgent family matter.

Enyimba goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo should be available for selection after linking up with the squad on Friday evening. 

What to expect

One expects Nigeria to dominate the game with the quality they have got in the side.

There will be a lot of wing play from the West African side and the Southern Africans will attempt to stay compact, force turnovers and hit on the counter.

The Mambas conceded 9 goals in six games during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which shows their defensive frailties.

Therefore, it is difficult to see them stopping the Super Eagles from scoring but Mozambique will also fancy their chances due to the vulnerability of Nigeria's goalkeeping and defence departments.

Conclusively, if José Peseiro's side are to end their unbeaten international friendly streak, they should be able to do it against their Southern counterpart.

Key players

1. Moses Simon: The Nantes forward has failed to start the last two games but must be hoping that his performance against Saudi Arabia will earn him a start against the Mambas.

The 28-year-old was quite good when he came on against the Green Falcons and it was his pass that led to Nigeria's first goal.

2. Wilfred Ndidi: The Leicester City midfielder put in a good shift against Saudi Arabia and his charisma will be instrumental to how Peseiro's side control the game.

Ndidi's reading of the game will also be needed to sniff out any danger.

3. Domingues Pelembé: The experienced midfielder is Mozambique's all-time appearance holder and is the second joint top scorer in the nation's history.

The experience of the 39-year-old will be needed if Conde's side are to get something from the encounter.

4. Witiness Quembo: The Sporting Lisbon forward has 2 goals and one assist in his last 3 games and is one to watch out for in the encounter.

Kickoff time and venue

The match is expected to start at Estádio Municipal de Albufeira in Portugal at 1600 hours Nigerian time.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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