Nigeria’s Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has urged his teammates to maintain concentration as they prepare for Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The experienced playmaker warned that flawless group-stage performances do not guarantee success in the knockout rounds.
The Super Eagles topped Group C with maximum points, registering convincing wins over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Their strong showing sets up a last-16 encounter with Mozambique, who advanced as one of the best third-placed sides despite claiming only a single group-stage victory.
While the matchup may appear manageable on paper, Iwobi highlighted Mozambique’s capacity for surprise. Their 3–2 win over Gabon demonstrated attacking flair, though defeats to Cameroon and Ivory Coast exposed gaps in their defence.
“We won all three group matches, but that doesn’t mean anything now. We can’t afford to be complacent. We’ll give everything and make our country proud,” Iwobi told Ademola Victor TV, emphasizing the need for humility and focus.
At 29, Iwobi has been central to Nigeria’s momentum throughout the tournament, orchestrating play from midfield and contributing key creative moments. He starred in the opening 2–1 victory over Tanzania, assisting both Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman—a feat that placed him among a select group of Nigerians to record two assists in a single AFCON match since 2010.
His influence continued against Tunisia, where he completed 51 of 59 passes and played a significant role in the buildup to Nigeria’s third goal during a thrilling 3–2 win.
Currently playing for Fulham, Iwobi is the most capped member of the squad, with 93 international appearances and his third AFCON finals experience. His leadership and composure make him a cornerstone as Nigeria advances into the knockout stages.
Having lifted the AFCON trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Nigeria now aims to capture a historic fourth continental title as the tournament in Morocco enters its decisive phase.
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