The senior national team of Nigeria will take on Mozambique in the round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Mozambique finished third in their group despite losing 1-2 to Cameroon in their last group game, but picked up one of the four slots available to the best placed third team in the tournament.

Their reward will be a game against the rampant Nigerian team in the round of 16. The Super Eagles will go into the game with a 100 percent record after winning all of their group games at the tournament.

The Nigerian team who have scored eight goals, the most in the tournament, have also shown their vulnerability in defence with four goals conceded and yet to register a clean sheet.

Head coach of the Nigerian team Eric Chelle has a clear mandate to lead the team to the final, where they are expected to go a step further than last time out when they were runners up to the host Cote d’Ivoire.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

English Premier League side Crystal Palace have made clear their intention not to hand a permanent deal to out of favour Super Eagles midfielder Uche Chrisantus with the proposed signing of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Palace have a bid of £25 million accepted by Spurs for the winger, a move which effectively puts an end to any plans of making the signing of Uche permanent in the summer as agreed in his loan deal.

An obligation to buy for around £25 million was agreed between his team Getafe and the English side when he made his loan move in the summer, but it carries a clause that says he must start at least ten games in the English Premier League for that to happen.

He hasn’t warmed his way into the plans of head coach Oliver Glasner despite an upturn in his form lately, with 19 games already played in the English Premier League and Uche yet to start in any there is hardly a way that he will meet the clause to be signed permanently.

Reports in Spain already has it that Palace has informed Getafe that he won’t be signed permanently, leaving the club searching for takers as they plan to use his sale to balance their books ahead of next season.

The impending January signing of Johnson is also another sign that the Nigerian, who was left out of the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON won’t be at the club beyond this season.

English Championship side Blackburn Rovers say the injury picked up by new Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu isn’t anything serious to cost him the rest of the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu made his international bow for Nigeria yesterday in the 3-1 win over Uganda at the AFCON, lasting the entire duration of the game which confirmed Nigeria’s spot as group winners heading into the round of 16.

Shortly afterwards, the official media channel of the Nigerian team released a statement saying the 24 year old sustained a deep cut, which will likely see him miss the rest of the tournament.

However Blackburn Rovers in a statement downplayed the severity of the cut, saying he is expected to be fit and available for the rest of the tournament with the injury not as severe as initially feared.

“Ryan Alebiosu played 90 minutes for Nigeria without a big problem. He has a cut, but I think it’s nothing major for us”, the club said in a statement.

Nigeria signed off the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in emphatic fashion with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, a result that sealed a perfect nine points from three matches and highlighted the Super Eagles’ growing momentum at the tournament.

Already through before kick-off, the Super Eagles played with confidence and purpose, refusing to take their foot off the pedal. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, rising above his marker to head home after sustained pressure. Uganda pulled one back early in the second half through Salim Magoola, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished by Raphael Onyedika. The midfielder struck twice in quick succession, first restoring Nigeria’s two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute before firing in a powerful third five minutes later.

Although Uganda continued to push and were rewarded with a consolation goal from Rogers Mato, Nigeria remained firmly in control to close out the game. The win means the Super Eagles finish top of Group C with nine points, eight goals scored and four conceded. They now await a round of 16 clash against one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, B or F on January 6.

While the celebrations around Nigeria’s flawless group run continue, former defender Sam Sodje has sounded a strong note of caution. Speaking with The Area Gang on Lasgidi 90.1 FM during the Live coverage of the Super Eagles vs Uganda clash on Tuesday, December 30, Sodje insisted that only proper leadership and planning can stop Nigeria’s latest title push from being derailed.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sodje admitted the disappointment still cuts deep.

“The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World still dey pain me and it will pain me for a very long time,” he said.

Sodje argued that elite football nations prepare years ahead for major tournaments, not at the last minute.

“The NFF ought to be prepared two to three years before the tournament. Give people that know tactically the opportunity to lead. We can get it right, when the right people are in position,” he said.

“We have gone back tactically in football. The Amaju Pinnick, and others have taken us back. Untill we get it right, we might not also qualify for the next (2030) World Cup.”

The former centre-back also raised concerns about leadership within the current Super Eagles squad, questioning whether there are enough senior voices to enforce discipline on and off the pitch.

“One of the problems with the team is that we don’t have really really senior players. In our days when we played with senior players like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, fear and shame won’t allow you do some things,” he said.

“Senior players bring organization and discipline. And that is what the Super Eagles are currently lacking.”

Beyond tactics, Sodje stressed that professionalism starts with how players are treated from the moment they arrive for international duty.

“The players might not need the money. But when the players are not respected, they will strike over money,” he noted.

“The respect the players get, from when they are picked up from the airport, the kits are ready, and are respected, will make the players more committed.”

He also singled out goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, urging the coaching crew to address what he described as lapses in discipline, particularly celebrations during matches.

Despite his criticisms, Sodje remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances at Africa Cup of Nations. He believes the Super Eagles have the quality to chase a fourth continental crown, but warned that without decisive action and better organisation at the top, history could yet repeat itself at the worst possible time.

Ryan Alebiosu who made his Super Eagles debut in the 3-1 win over Uganda at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations is feared out of the rest of the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu who made a huge impression in his first ever the game in the colours of Nigeria sustained a deep cut during the game, and according to the official media channel of the team he is possibly out of the team.

The Blackburn Rovers defender is not the only player carrying a knock for Nigeria, with Cyriel Dessers nursing a thigh injury ahead of the knock out stages of the tournament.

Dessers will undergo further scan to determine the severity of the injury, making his participation in the tournament far from certain.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has warned the Super Eagles opponent in the round of 16 Mozambique ahead of their clash on Monday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria finished with maximum points after winning all of their three group games, and will now face Mozambique for a spot in the quarter final with that impeccable record.

Mozambique finished third in their group despite losing 1-2 to Cameroon in their last group game, but picked up one of the four slots available to the best placed third team in the tournament.

Speaking shortly after Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Uganda in their final group game, Chelle said his team have sent a warning to other teams in the tournament about their readiness to make a huge statement in the tournament.

He warned their opponents of what could befall them if they played against his team without any focus. “3 matches, 3 wins, I am very happy […] It’s just 3 matches, we haven’t done anything yet. But we sent a message saying that we are here. And for those who are not focused, the consequences can be heavy”, he said.

A clear warning to Mozambique who will be the next opponent of the Nigerian team who have scored eight goals, the most in the tournament but have also shown their vulnerability in defence with four goals conceded.

The senior national team of Nigeria showed their supremacy at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over ten man Uganda to end the group stages with maximum wins, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Smarting from winning their first two group games , the Super Eagles went into the game knowing that they are already through to the round of 16 as group winners.

We rate the players on display for Nigeria in the game.

Francis Uzoho – He didn’t have much to do for the entire duration of the game. A comfortable day at the office for the returning first choice….. 7/10

Ryan Alebiosu – Very comfortable on the ball and uses both feet very well. A committed display on his debut….. 8/10

Bruno Onyemaechi – Seems to have cemented the left back spot. Won virtually all his duels and also initiated attacks in the final third. In particular the move that led to Nigeria’s first goal….. 8/10

Calvin Bassey – Got a harsh booking despite being fouled with his shirt pulled. Had a very steady 45 minutes….. 6/10

Igbo Ogbu – Beaten twice in the opening stage of the game and didn’t quite grow into it. Didn’t do his chance of another start any good….. 6/10

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – Full of industry, energy and desire. Set up the opening goal for Paul Onuachu with a delicate cut back. A performance to be proud about….. 8/10

Raphael Onyedika – Grabbed a brace to win the man of the match award. Safe to say he has goals in him but didn’t do much defensively, particularly in the goal the team conceded. He has no knowledge of where his man was….. 9/10

Paul Onuachu – Missed a glorious chance to open scoring but made atonement a minute earlier with a side foot finish in the box. Didn’t offer much of a threat though and was guilty of too many touches….. 7.5/10

Moses Simon – Had his markers on toast all through the game and also created three big chances which wasn’t converted. He made a very good use of his first start in the tournament….. 8/10

Samuel Chukwueze – Two assists and easily hand him the man of the match award. However didn’t quite created much and lost the ball in promising positions….. 7.5/10

Victor Osimhen – The aim of playing him was defeated as he didn’t offer much by way of a threat to goal. Probably was under instructions not to go all out in his usual style to avoid any injury….. 6/10

Substitutes:

Chidozie Awaziem – Committed three fouls in only 45 minutes and showed exactly why he has dropped down the pecking order in the set up….. 5/10

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria showed their supremacy at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over ten man Uganda to end the group stages with maximum wins, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Smarting from winning their first two group games , the Super Eagles went into the game knowing that they are already through to the round of 16 as group winners.

Paul Onuachu opened the floodgates of goals for Nigeria by producing a smart finish in the box from a cut back by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 28th minute. A minute after missing a gilt end chance to open scoring.

Not satisfied with being one goal up, the Super Eagles took the game to Uganda in the second half leading to substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola getting sent off in the 59th minute.

Super Eagles ensured that their one man advantage worked with Raphael Onyedika scoring twice within a space of five minutes in the 62nd and 67th minute respectively, profiting from a well weighted ball from Samuel Chukwueze on both occasions.

Uganda pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, but it ended as a mere consolation with Nigeria holding on for a 3-1 win.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has made changes to his starting lineup for today’s game against Uganda in the Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Super Eagles have already booked a spot in the round of 16 ahead of today’s game and Chelle has decided to use the game to hand rest to some players in his squad, who have not gotten sufficient game time or haven’t played at all.

Moses Simon who has been a second half substitute in both games started on the left side of a four man attack, which has Paul Onuachu pairing Victor Osimhen who wears the captain armband in training. Samuel Chukwueze completes the four man attack.

Starting XI:

Uzoho

Ryan Alebiosu

Calvin Bassey

Igoh Ogbu

Bruno Onyemaechi

Raphael Onyedika

Moses Simon

Paul Onuachu

Samuel Chukwueze

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

The goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Stanley Nwabali was lucky to escape what would have been a serious injury yesterday in their 3-2 win over Tunisia at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nwabali was lucky to escape what could possibly see him miss the rest of the season not just the tournament, with the manner which his knee twisted in his attempt to stops Tunisia’s first goal.

He slipped as he attempted to approach the header that helped Tunisia to reduce the deficit to 1-3. His feet was stuck in the playing surface but he wanted to force his movements leading to an awkward twisting of his left knee.

” He (Nwabali) was lucky that he didn’t suffer a serious injury. It could have been his ACL and you know that will mean an extended period of time on the sidelines. He was lucky that it didn’t turned out to be anything serious”, a sports doctor Maigari Lawal told OwnGoalNigeria.com.