Mozambique captain Domingues has sent a clear message ahead of his side’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 showdown with Nigeria, insisting the Mambas are unfazed by the reputation of the Super Eagles.
The knockout clash is scheduled for Monday night at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco, where Mozambique will attempt to extend what has already been a historic campaign for the Southern African nation.
Having reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, Mozambique progressed as one of the best third-placed teams after recording a crucial victory over Gabon in the group phase, despite defeats to Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
Standing in their path is Nigeria, one of Africa’s most successful teams, who swept through Group C with wins against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. The fixture will mark only the second AFCON meeting between the sides, with Nigeria claiming a 3–0 win in their previous encounter in 2010.
Addressing journalists before the game, Domingues dismissed any notion of fear.
“The Nigerian team is very powerful, but we will not be intimidated by that. We want to go there and compete because football is 90 minutes; anything can happen.”
Reflecting on Mozambique’s journey, he added, “We know the challenges we are going to have. We know we managed to reach another stage, and we are in a stage where we are still celebrating our qualification.
“But we know the importance of this game and what type of game it is, and this gives us more strength because we continue dreaming, knowing that this is called a season of breakthrough.”
Domingues ended with a final note of resolve, “So we have to do all we can to continue dreaming, so we will give it our all.”
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