Fès, Morocco, January 6, 2026 — Nigeria's Super Eagles delivered a ruthless and commanding performance on Monday, January 5, 2026, dismantling Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The victory marked Nigeria's fourth consecutive win in the tournament, a new record for the three-time champions, who have now scored 12 goals while maintaining their status as one of the competition's frontrunners.
The Super Eagles wasted no time asserting dominance, with Ademola Lookman opening the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a precise assist from Akor Adams. Five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled the lead with a close-range finish, again set up by Adams, sending Nigeria into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
The second half began in similar fashion, as Lookman turned provider just two minutes after the restart, squaring the ball for Osimhen to tap in his second goal of the night and third of the tournament, effectively ending any hopes of a Mozambique comeback. The rout was completed in the 75th minute when Lookman returned the favor to Adams, who unleashed a powerful 15-meter strike for his maiden international goal, capping a standout individual display.
Nigeria's attacking trio of Osimhen, Lookman, and Adams proved unstoppable, with the Sevilla forward Adams earning widespread praise for his versatility and work rate. Midfielder Alex Iwobi orchestrated play from deep, while the defensive unit—led by Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali—secured a crucial clean sheet, Nigeria's first of the tournament. Mozambique managed only limited threats, with star winger Geny Catamo unable to influence proceedings against a solid Super Eagles backline.
This emphatic win represents the largest margin in a knockout match at AFCON 2025 and the first instance of a team scoring four goals in a single game this edition. It also extends Nigeria's scoring run to 11 consecutive AFCON matches, their longest ever streak.
Head coach Eric Chelle expressed satisfaction with the performance, noting the team's growing cohesion under his guidance following a disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "We showed our quality today. The players executed the plan perfectly, and this clean sheet is important for confidence," Chelle said post-match.
For Mozambique, making their debut in the AFCON knockout stage after advancing as one of the best third-placed teams, the defeat marked a valiant end to a historic campaign that included their first-ever tournament win. Coach Francisco Conde praised his players' efforts despite the gulf in class, highlighting pride in reaching this far.
Nigeria now await the winners of Tuesday's Round of 16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo, with the quarter-final scheduled for Saturday or Sunday in Marrakech. A potential semi-final could pit them against Cameroon or hosts Morocco.
The Super Eagles entered the match as overwhelming favorites, having topped their group with maximum points from victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Their unbeaten record against Mozambique—now extended to six meetings—held firm, building on previous encounters including a 3-0 AFCON win in 2010.
Player ratings reflected Nigeria's dominance: Akor Adams (9/10), Ademola Lookman (8.5/10), Victor Osimhen (8/10), and Bright Osayi-Samuel (7.5/10) stood out, while Nwabali enjoyed a relatively quiet evening.
This result sends a strong statement to the remaining contenders, positioning Nigeria as serious title challengers in their quest for a fourth AFCON crown, last won in 2013. With Osimhen rediscovering his scoring touch after a seven-match drought and Lookman in scintillating form, the Super Eagles appear primed for deeper progression in Morocco.
The 2025 AFCON, hosted across multiple Moroccan cities, continues to deliver excitement, with Nigeria's display one of the standout performances thus far.
