Nigeria powered into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after delivering a dominant 4-0 triumph against Mozambique in Fes, underlining their growing confidence in the tournament.
Nigeria powered into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after delivering a dominant 4-0 triumph against Mozambique in Fes, underlining their growing confidence in the tournament.
The Super Eagles asserted control from the opening moments and thought they had struck inside two minutes, only for Victor Osimhen’s early finish to be ruled out for offside.
That warning sign soon became reality as sustained pressure finally paid off in the 20th minute, when Ademola Lookman bent a composed finish into the net following Akor Adams’ pull-back.
Nigeria’s authority only increased from that point, with Mozambique struggling to escape their own half or disrupt the tempo being set by their opponents.
The lead was doubled five minutes later through Osimhen, who converted from close range after Alex Iwobi surged through midfield and Lookman’s low delivery deflected off Adams on its way across goal.
Mozambique, appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time, found themselves unable to cope with the pace and movement of Nigeria’s forwards and rarely threatened at the other end.
Early in the second period, Osimhen struck again to make it 3-0, reacting quickest at the far post to turn in another intelligent ball across from Lookman.
Nigeria continued to push forward with intent, maintaining intensity and precision while limiting the Mambas to brief spells of possession.
Adams crowned an impressive individual showing by adding a fourth goal in the 75th minute, firing home after further clever play from Lookman down the flank.
The Super Eagles might have extended the margin further, forcing goalkeeper Ernan into several saves before he was eventually forced off injured late on.
This convincing display made Eric Chelle’s team the first side to score four times in a match at this year’s finals, reinforcing their status as contenders after also progressing with a flawless group-stage record.
A long-awaited clean sheet, following four goals conceded earlier in the competition, added further satisfaction as Nigeria now prepares to face either Algeria or DR Congo in Saturday’s quarter-final in Marrakech.
