Nigeria qualify for the AFCON quarter-finals in emphatic fashion after producing a flawless display to defeat Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The match was played on Monday evening at the Grand Stadium of Fez, where Nigeria controlled proceedings from start to finish and left no room for surprises.
From the opening whistle, Nigeria showed clear attacking intent, pressing high and forcing Mozambique deep into their own half. The Super Eagles’ early dominance reflected their determination to settle the contest quickly and avoid any complications.
Early Nigerian pressure pays off
Nigeria’s attacking trio of Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman began testing the Mozambican defense immediately. After several missed chances and dangerous set pieces, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 20th minute.
Ademola Lookman opened the scoring after receiving a clever pass from Akor Adams. The Atalanta winger struck a powerful shot from inside the penalty area into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless and giving Nigeria a deserved lead.
Osimhen doubles the advantage
Nigeria did not slow down after the opener. Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen capitalized on sustained pressure to score the second goal. The Napoli striker reacted quickest inside the six-yard box, finishing confidently to underline the clear technical gap between the two sides.
The remainder of the first half saw Nigeria continue to dominate possession, while Mozambique relied mainly on physical challenges to disrupt the rhythm. Despite a few defensive interruptions, Nigeria went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
A decisive second-half statement
Nigeria needed only one minute after the restart to deliver the decisive blow. In the 47th minute, Lookman provided a precise cross from the left flank, which Osimhen converted with a composed finish to score his second goal of the night.
At that moment, the outcome was effectively sealed. Nigeria managed the game intelligently, maintaining their structure and controlling the tempo, while Mozambique struggled to break through a well-organized midfield and defense.
Nigeria seal qualification in style
The Super Eagles continued to threaten on the counter, and their dominance was finally rewarded again in the 75th minute. Lookman turned provider once more, setting up Akor Adams, who fired a powerful right-footed shot into the top corner to make it 4-0.
Mozambique attempted to reduce the deficit, but their efforts lacked accuracy and conviction. Nigeria remained composed until the final whistle, confirming their progression without any trouble.
With this convincing performance, Nigeria qualify for the AFCON quarter-finals and now await the winner of the upcoming clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, sending a strong message to the rest of the tournament contenders.
