Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has pledged a substantial cash incentive to the national team ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash against Nigeria, promising each player and member of the technical staff 500,000 meticais if they secure victory and progress to the quarterfinals.
The bonus, valued at about US$7,800, was announced in a message to the Mambas following their historic qualification for the knockout stages. The match is scheduled for Monday, January 5, at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco.
President Chapo hailed the team’s group-stage performance as unprecedented, praising the players and coaching staff for their discipline, courage and determination. He described their qualification as a moment of national pride, marking a major milestone for Mozambican football.
Mozambique reached the Round of 16 for the first time in their AFCON history after finishing third in Group F. Despite a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in their final group match, the Mambas advanced as one of the tournament’s four best third-placed teams. Their campaign included a landmark 3–2 victory over Gabon, the country’s first-ever win at an AFCON finals, after opening with a loss to defending champions Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria head into the fixture as favourites, having topped their group with three straight wins. The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have shown strong form but remain wary of knockout-stage surprises after a similar group-stage sweep ended in a Round of 16 exit at the 2021 tournament.
The bonus pledge adds to earlier incentives announced by the Mozambique Football Federation, including a promise of 1.5 million meticais per player should the team go on to win the tournament. Players were also paid allowances before departing for Morocco.
Coached by Chiquinho Conde, Mozambique face a formidable Nigerian side featuring players from Europe’s top leagues. However, the Mambas’ compact defending and counter-attacking threat could test Nigeria if underestimated.
The winner will advance to face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarterfinals, as the AFCON knockout stage gathers momentum with several high-profile ties across the continent.
