Victor Osimhen struck twice as Nigeria delivered a ruthless performance to crush Mozambique 4–0 in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Round of 16 clash on Monday, sealing a place in the quarter-finals convincingly.
The Super Eagles dominated from the outset in Fes, with Ademola Lookman producing a masterclass that saw him score once and assist all three of Nigeria’s remaining goals in a one-sided contest.
Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute, finishing clinically after Alex Iwobi’s incisive pass released Akor Adams, who teed up the Atalanta forward for a first-time strike. Five minutes later, Lookman turned creator, delivering a cross that Adams flicked on for Osimhen to bundle home Nigeria’s second goal from close range.
Also read: PRINPAG slams assault on journalist, calls for police action
Osimhen, who began the match without his familiar protective face mask before putting it on again, survived a heavy challenge from Mozambique defender Witi but quickly shrugged it off to continue tormenting the opposition backline.
Shortly after the restart, Lookman once again provided the ammunition, sliding a low cross into the box for Osimhen to finish in the 47th minute and effectively end the contest. The Galatasaray striker, Africa’s 2023 Player of the Year, has now scored three goals at the tournament after breaking a seven-match AFCON goal drought earlier in the competition.
Nigeria completed the rout in the 75th minute when Lookman threaded a precise pass through to Akor Adams, who fired home the fourth to cap a dominant Super Eagles display.
The emphatic victory represents the biggest winning margin in an AFCON knockout fixture since Egypt thrashed Algeria 4–0 in the 2010 semi-finals.
Nigeria will now shift focus to a quarter-final showdown on Saturday in Marrakesh, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s last-16 encounter between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A DR Congo victory would set up a chance for the Super Eagles to avenge their World Cup qualifying play-off loss to the Leopards last November.
Mozambique, appearing in the knockout stage of AFCON for the first time after qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams, found the pace and intensity of Nigeria too much to handle.
Despite Nigeria making several changes following their final group win over Uganda, coach Eric Chelle’s side remained sharp, disciplined, and clinical throughout.