In a dramatic move to boost his national team's morale, Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has pledged a massive cash reward for the Mambas if they can overcome Nigeria's Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage.
Presidential Motivation Ahead of Crucial Clash
President Chapo directly addressed the Mozambican squad and its technical crew in a special message on Thursday, January 1. He lavished praise on the team for their historic achievement of reaching the AFCON 2025 Round of 16, a first for the nation, which he described as a monumental source of pride.
The President commended the players for their courage, discipline, and unwavering determination displayed during the group phase of the tournament held in Morocco.
The Staggering Financial Incentive Revealed
To propel the team to greater heights, President Chapo approved an extraordinary performance bonus. He declared that each player and member of the coaching staff will receive 500,000 meticais should they triumph over Nigeria and advance to the quarter-finals.
When converted to Nigerian currency, this substantial incentive amounts to approximately ₦11.3 million per individual. This move is clearly designed to ignite an extra spark in the Mambas as they prepare for their toughest challenge yet.
Road to the Knockouts and the Upcoming Fixture
Mozambique secured their spot in the Round of 16 by finishing as the third-best team in Group F. Their journey included a narrow 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in their final group match, which was not enough to derail their knockout ambitions.
The stage is now set for a high-stakes encounter. The Mambas will face the Super Eagles on Monday, January 5. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm local time and will be played at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco.
With national pride and a significant financial reward on the line, the match promises to be a fiercely contested battle as Mozambique seeks to create another historic upset against the African giants.
