Mozambique's coach, Chiquinho Conde, and captain, Domingues, have said their team is not afraid of playing against Nigeria in Monday's Africa Cup of Nations match. The game will take place at the Fez Stadium, and the winner will move on to the quarter-finals in Morocco.
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Nigeria won all their group matches and came first, while Mozambique qualified as one of the top third-placed teams.
Nigeria's team, led by Eric Chelle, is seen as the clear favorite because they have beaten Mozambique in previous matches.
However, the Mambas want to keep improving and go further in the knockout rounds.
The two teams last played each other in a friendly on October 16, 2023, in Albufeira.
Nigeria won 3-2, with goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka, and Moses Simon.
No fear of the Super Eagles
Even though Domingues acknowledges Nigeria's strong squad, he and his teammates are determined to make an impact.
"The Nigerian team is very strong, but we won't be scared of that.
We want to go there and play because football is 90 minutes, and anything can happen," Domingues said.
"We know the challenges we're facing.
We know we managed to qualify again, and we're still celebrating that.
"But we also know how important this game is, and that makes us stronger because we're still dreaming.
This is a season of breakthrough.
"So, we have to do everything we can to keep dreaming, and we'll give it our best effort."
Despite Nigeria’s impressive performances so far, Eric Chelle’s men have conceded at least one goal in each of their last three matches in the tournament. 
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Another goal conceded would see them join Cote d’Ivoire (112), DR Congo (108), and Tunisia (102) as the fourth team in AFCON history to have conceded 100 or more goals.
Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s attacking strength, coach Conde insisted that his team would step up and do everything possible to get the job done.
"Nigeria is a very strong team, and we all know they have a long process in building their attack," he said.
"We will do all we can to break down their defence and also ensure their strikers are not able to attack.
"We respect Nigeria. Across generations, they have produced good players and now have top players in Europe.
"Our players will play for the Mozambican flag, and the game will start at 0–0. We know Nigeria is more powerful, but we will see who wants it more."
The winner of this match will face either 2019 African champions Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals.