Midfielder Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles cannot afford to take their foot off the gas ahead of their 2025 AFCON round-of-16 clash against Mozambique on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria progressed to the round of 16 with the maximum nine points from their group and set up a meeting with the Mozambicans, who advanced as one of the best third-placed teams with just three points.
While Nigeria recorded victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C, Mozambique’s sole 3-2 victory over Gabon in Group F proved enough to ensure their progression. They lost their other group games against Cameroon and Ivory Coast, but not without a fight.
Ahead of their meeting in Fes on Monday, Iwobi believes the team must not underrate their opponents in their quest to conquer Africa again.
“We have got three wins in our three games in the group stage, but we can’t get complacent. We are going to give 100 per cent and try to do our nation proud,” Iwobi told Ademola Victor TV.
At the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, Iwobi has been instrumental in Nigeria’s campaign, dictating play from midfield as the Super Eagles booked a place in the round of 16.
The Fulham midfielder has recorded two assists so far in the tournament, both coming in Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opening group match. He provided the assist for Semi Ajayi’s opener before setting up Ademola Lookman for the winning goal, becoming only the second Nigerian player since 2010 to register two assists in a single AFCON match.
Iwobi followed that performance with another assured display against Tunisia last Saturday, completing 51 accurate passes from 59 attempts and playing a key role in the build-up to Nigeria’s third goal in the 3–2 win.
With 93 international caps, the 29-year-old is the most capped player in the current Super Eagles squad and is appearing at his third Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria are chasing a fourth continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
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