The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on Monday night, sweeping aside Mozambique with a resounding 4-0 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The emphatic last-16 win in Fes, Morocco, was powered by a Victor Osimhen brace and influential displays from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.
Lookman and Osimhen Fire Nigeria Ahead
Nigeria, determined to atone for their recent World Cup qualification failure, started with clear intent. The breakthrough came after 20 minutes when Ademola Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, finished off a swift move. Alex Iwobi's incisive pass found Akor Adams on the left, whose cutback was slammed home first-time by Lookman.
Just five minutes later, the lead was doubled. Lookman turned provider, sending a cross from the left that was helped on by Adams for Victor Osimhen to poke in from close range. Notably, Osimhen had started the match without his protective mask but had it back on before scoring Nigeria's second goal.
Second-Half Dominance Seals Historic Win
Any hopes of a Mozambique fightback were extinguished shortly after the restart. In the 47th minute, Lookman delivered another dangerous low ball across the six-yard box, and Osimhen was there to tap in his second of the night, making it 3-0. This ended a notable drought for the 2023 African Player of the Year, who had gone seven AFCON matches without scoring before finding the net in the group stage.
The scoring was rounded off with 15 minutes remaining. Lookman, who was involved in all four goals, set up Akor Adams inside the penalty area, and the Sevilla forward rifled a powerful shot high into the net to complete the rout. This 4-0 margin represents the biggest winning margin in an AFCON knockout tie since 2010, when Egypt defeated Algeria by the same scoreline.
Quarter-Final Awaits as Eagles March On
With this comprehensive victory, the three-time African champions advance to a quarter-final clash in Marrakesh this Saturday. They will face the winner of Tuesday's last-16 match between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A victory for DR Congo would offer Nigeria a chance for revenge after their painful penalty shootout defeat to the Leopards in a World Cup qualifying play-off last November.
For Mozambique, their historic first-ever appearance in the AFCON knockout phase, achieved as one of the best third-placed teams, ended against a superior Nigerian side. Coach Eric Chelle had reshuffled his lineup from the final group game, reinstating key players like Lookman, and the tactical decision paid off handsomely as the Super Eagles produced their most complete performance of the tournament so far.
