Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique on Sunday night in Fes, delivering one of the most convincing performances of the tournament so far.
The Super Eagles were in complete control from the opening whistle, showcasing their attacking quality, depth, and tournament credentials as they dismantled Mozambique, who were making their first-ever appearance in the AFCON knockout stages.
Fast Start Sets the Tone for the Super Eagles
Nigeria wasted little time asserting their dominance. Within the opening two minutes, star striker Victor Osimhen found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside — an early warning of what was to come.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 20th minute, when Ademola Lookman opened the scoring. The Atalanta winger curled a composed finish into the corner after a precise cutback from Akor Adams, capping off a slick team move.
Just five minutes later, Nigeria doubled their advantage. Midfielder Alex Iwobi surged through the centre of the pitch before releasing Lookman down the flank. His dangerous cross deflected off Adams and fell perfectly for Osimhen, who made no mistake from close range.
Mozambique Overwhelmed by Nigeria’s Attacking Firepower
Mozambique struggled to cope with Nigeria’s relentless attacking pressure. The Mambas were unable to string together meaningful attacks and rarely troubled the Super Eagles’ defence, as Nigeria’s midfield dictated the tempo of the match.
Any hopes of a comeback were effectively ended early in the second half. Osimhen struck again, tapping in at the back post after a clever low ball from Lookman on the left, taking his tally to two goals on the night.
The Galatasaray forward’s sharp movement and clinical finishing underlined why he remains one of Africa’s most feared strikers.
Akor Adams Seals Emphatic Victory
Nigeria continued to push forward in search of more goals, and their efforts were rewarded in the 75th minute. Akor Adams, who had already provided an assist, capped an impressive all-round performance by firing home Nigeria’s fourth after yet more excellent work from Lookman.
The Super Eagles could easily have added to their tally, with Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan forced into several saves before being substituted due to injury late in the match.
Statement Performance From AFCON Title Contenders
This victory marked the first time any team has scored four goals in a single match at AFCON 2025, underlining Nigeria’s status as genuine title contenders.
Eric Chelle’s side entered the knockout phase as one of only two teams — alongside Algeria — to finish the group stage with a perfect record. Unlike their disappointing 2021 campaign, where Nigeria were eliminated in the last 16 despite winning all group matches, the Super Eagles ensured there would be no repeat of that fate.
Key performers such as Iwobi, Lookman, Adams, and Osimhen combined seamlessly, while Nigeria also recorded their first clean sheet of the tournament, a welcome boost after conceding four goals during the group stage.
Quarter-Final Clash Awaits in Marrakech
Nigeria will now face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Marrakech (16:00 GMT).
A meeting with DR Congo would offer Nigeria a chance for revenge after their painful penalty shootout defeat in the continental play-off final in November, while a clash with Algeria would revive memories of the AFCON 2019 semi-final, which the North Africans won.
As Nigeria chase a fourth AFCON title — and aim to go one better than their runner-up finish in 2023 — this emphatic performance sends a strong message to the rest of the tournament field.
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