Nigeria are expected to be at full strength tonight as they take on Mozambique in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations today.
The Super Eagles rested key names for their final group game against Uganda, with qualification for the knockout stages already wrapped up.
Eric Chelle kept Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman all aside against Uganda to avoid any yellow-card suspensions for this game, although star striker Victor Osimhen still played 87 minutes.
Nigeria had already beaten Tanzania and Tunisia to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16, and they sealed top spot with a 3-1 win in their last match.
Now, they take on a tricky Mozambique side that crept through to the knockout rounds despite being beaten twice in the group stages.
1-0 and 2-1 defeats by the Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively sandwiched a 3-2 win over Gabon, with that three points earning them a meeting with the Super Eagles today.
As such, Chelle will turn back to his big hitters to ensure that the job gets done in Fez, with Lookman, who scored in the first two group victories, expected to come back into the side, where he played at the apex of the midfield diamond against Tunisia.
That should mean that Fulham’s Alex Iwobi is recalled, along with former Leicester midfield Wilfred Ndidi.
Samuel Chukwueze came back into the team on the right against Uganda, and could start on the right once more.
That said, Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka has revealed that he has recovered from an ankle injury and could push for a start in the engine room.
Paul Onuachu, formerly of Southampton, was on the scoresheet against Uganda, and could push for a start alongside Osimhen, although Akor Adams is often the preferred option.
The big injury news is that striker Cyriel Dessers, the former Rangers forward, has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a thigh problem, while Blackburn’s Ryan Alebiosu, who made his senior international debut against Uganda, suffered a cut on his foot that required a hospital visit.
It remains to be seen whether he will be able to play any further part at AFCON.
Predicted Nigeria XI (4-1-2-1-2): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi; Chukwueze Iwobi; Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
Injured: Dessers, Alebiosu
Time and date: 7pm GMT on Monday, January 5, 2026
Venue: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
How to watch: 4seven and Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel
