Nigeria produced their most emphatic performance of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday, thrashing Mozambique 4-0 to secure a comfortable passage to the quarter-finals.
Led by a brace from Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and a masterclass in creativity from Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles overwhelmed a Mozambique side making their debut appearance in the knockout stages. The victory in Fes marks Nigeria as the first team to score four goals in a single match at this year’s tournament and keeps them on course to improve upon their runner-up finish in 2023.
Nigeria will travel to Marrakech for Saturday’s quarter-final, where they will face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Relentless Attack
Head coach Eric Chelle’s side wasted no time asserting dominance. Osimhen had the ball in the net within two minutes, only to be flagged for offside, but the reprieve for Mozambique was short-lived.
In the 20th minute, Akor Adams cut the ball back for Lookman, who curled a precise finish past goalkeeper Ernan to break the deadlock. Five minutes later, the lead was doubled. Following incisive play through midfield by Alex Iwobi, Lookman turned provider, delivering a ball that deflected off Adams and fell kindly for Osimhen to convert.
Mozambique, known as the Mambas, struggled to cope with the intensity of Nigeria’s press and offered little offensive threat. Their difficult evening was compounded late in the game when goalkeeper Ernan was forced off with an injury.
Second-Half Control
Nigeria maintained their intensity after the break. Osimhen claimed his second goal of the night—and second of the tournament—early in the second half, tapping in at the back post following another clever delivery from Lookman.
Adams capped a fine individual display in the 75th minute, firing home Nigeria’s fourth to seal the rout. The result earned Nigeria their first clean sheet in six AFCON finals matches, a significant defensive improvement after conceding four times during the group stage.
World Cup Redemption
Despite their flawless record in Morocco—winning all group games and now the Round of 16—the Super Eagles are playing under the cloud of their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The upcoming quarter-final could offer a chance for redemption. A matchup against DR Congo would provide an opportunity to avenge the penalty shootout defeat in November’s continental playoff final that cost Nigeria their World Cup spot. Alternatively, a clash with Algeria would be a rematch of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, which the North Africans won.
For now, however, Nigeria have exorcised the ghosts of 2021, where they also started the tournament with a perfect group record only to crash out in the Round of 16.
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