2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Brown Ideye has urged the Super Eagles to adopt an aggressive, high-tempo approach when they face the Mambas, stressing the importance of early intensity and clinical finishing.

On Monday January 5 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès , Nigeria, who topped Group C, will face Mozambique, who qualified as one of the four best third-placed sides out of Group F

Ideye has highlighted that maintaining focus and efficiency throughout the round of 16 clash with Mozambique will be crucial, especially given the limited time available to correct any mistakes.

"Get it running from the first minute and the pace you used to start the game, make sure you finish,” Ideye said on the Home Turf podcast. 

"I know sometimes it is difficult to start with the same pace. You start one pace to begin the game, then at the end you have tiredness and fatigue."

The former Olympiacos forward emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford lapses in concentration or missed opportunities, warning that there may be no second chance to make amends.

"We don't have to take any chances. We don’t have space in three days' time to correct the mistake, so we have to hit the ground running and bang those goals—more than one goal. If you can score five, score five."

Nigeria emerged as the most potent attacking side of the group stage, with the Super Eagles scoring a competition-high eight goals from 21 shots, 10 of which were on target, while also recording the highest average possession rate at 66%.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel