Nigeria confirmed their status as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations favorites with a clinical 4-0 demolition of Mozambique at the Stade de Fès, on Monday night securing their place in the quarter-finals with a record breaking performance.
The Super Eagles became the first team in this edition of the tournament to score four goals in a single match, continuing their ruthless scoring streak that has now seen them find the net 12 times in just four games.
Ademola Lookman was once again the architect of the victory, providing a goal and two assists in a Man of the Match performance that saw him involved in all the four goals.
ALSO READ: AFCON 2025: Mo Salah scores late as Egypt beat Benin to reach quarterfinals
Nigeria made eight changes for the Round of 16 match against Mozambique compared to their heavily rotated side that played the final group stage match against Uganda.
Only three players were retained from the starting eleven that faced Uganda in the final group stage match;Victor Osimhen,Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi.
Mozambique also restored their primary starters after qualifying as a best third-placed team with five changes including star player Reinildo Mandava and Veteran Mexer Edson.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles fly into quarterfinals
The whipping began in the 20th minute when Akor Adams turned provider teeing up Ademola Lookman with a cutback from the left to slot home his third goal of the tournament.
The lead was doubled just five minutes later as Victor Osimhen opened his knockout stage account, ghosting into the box at the far post to finish a move initiated by Alex Iwobi from deep with a through pass and assisted by Lookman with the match proceeding for the break at 2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.
The second half began in a similar fashion with Victor Osimhen scoring his second of the night in the 47th minute after Lookman danced through a cluster of defenders to square the ball for a simple tap-in at the back post.
The match took on a slightly funny turn mid-way through the half when Osimhen and Lookman were seen in a heated exchange over a missed passing opportunity, though the tension was short-lived as coach Eric Chelle opted to rest his star striker Osimhen in the 69th minute.
Akor Adams then finally found himself on the scoresheet in the 75th minute, thumping a powerful effort into the roof of the net after a swift counter-attack involving substitute Moses Simon and the ever-present Lookman who laid the pass for his second assist of the day.
Nigeria’s 4-0 victory marks their 18th quarter-final appearance and sets up a clash against either Dr Congo or Algeria in Agadir while the members leave the tournament with heads held high after historic first ever knockout stage qualification.
Nigeria vs Mozambique AFCON 2026 last 16 lineups
Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
Mozambique: Ernan Siluane, Diogo Calila, Mexer Edson, Reinildo Mandava, Bruno Langa, Ricardo Guimarães, Alfons Amade, Geny Catamo, Elias Pelembe, Witi Quembo, Faisal Bangal.