By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 5, 2026

Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi has urged caution over early speculation about the Super Eagles’ chances of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team is focused on one game at a time ahead of Monday’s round of 16 clash with Mozambique, PUNCH Sports Extra .

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Ndidi reflected on his journey from missing the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast through injury to captaining the national team in Morocco.

He acknowledged that while lifting the AFCON would be a tremendous achievement, his focus remains firmly on the next match and emphasised that getting ahead of themselves by thinking about the final could be dangerous, as it is the upcoming game that will determine their progress in the tournament.

“It would be something else. It would be amazing, you know. Winning the AFCON would be incredible if we start dreaming about it, but let’s talk about reality.”

“The reality now is the next game. We don’t want to start dreaming about the final and forget the next game, because this next game takes us to where we want to be,” he said.

“As I said, and as the coach said too. After that, there are still games to play to reach where we want to be. So we shouldn’t dream too far ahead and forget the game we have at hand. The most important game right now that takes us closer to our goal is this game,” Ndidi added.

Ndidi, who was appointed captain of the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON, missed the previous edition due to injury but has quickly become a key leader on and off the pitch.

On Mozambique, Ndidi warned against underestimating the Mambas despite Nigeria’s superior record in head-to-head meetings.

“They are a very good team. They want to play, they’re very aggressive, and they play like a team. We watched their group stage games and we know they fight hard. ”

As I’ve always said, the main focus is on us, how we approach the game and how we want to play.”

“That’s what matters. You’ll see. But they are a very good team. No team in this tournament should be underrated, no team at all,” he said.

Group C winners Nigeria meet Mozambique at the Fez Stadium on Monday (today), seeking to advance to the quarter-finals for a 12th time.

The Super Eagles topped their group with three wins, scoring eight goals and conceding four, signalling their intent to challenge for a fourth continental title.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 5, 2026

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