Mozambique manager Chiquinho Conde is sweating over the fitness of two key defenders ahead of his side's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash with Nigeria on Monday, January 5.

The Mambas arrived in Fes on Saturday and held an afternoon training session at the Annexe 2 Complexe Sportif de Fès. 

However, Abu Salim centre-back Nené and Santa Clara right-back Diogo Calila were absent from the workout as they continue to recover from muscle injuries.

Providing a squad update in a press release, Mozambique team doctor Mussa Calú revealed that Nené sustained a muscle strain during training in Agadir, while Diogo Calila suffered a muscle strain in his right leg and is currently undergoing treatment. 

He added that both players are receiving medical care and will not train for now as they remain under observation.

Diogo Calila and Nené both started Mozambique's 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in their final group stage match but were forced off with injuries in the 15th and 52nd minutes respectively.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle also has injury concerns of his own, with Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers withdrawn from the tournament due to a thigh injury, while Ryan Alebiosu is all but ruled out of the round of 16 encounter after suffering a deep cut to his right leg during his cap-tying appearance against Uganda.

The Malian tactician is expected to provide a further squad update when he addresses the media at the mandatory pre-match press conference scheduled for 11:30 hours.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel