Nigeria’s Super Eagles delivered one of their most convincing performances of the tournament, beating Mozambique 4–0 to qualify for the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals. The Round of 16 clash, played on January 5, 2026, saw Nigeria dominate from start to finish, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen leading a ruthless attacking display that overwhelmed Mozambique’s defense.
Beyond the scoreline, the match also sent a message to the rest of the tournament: Nigeria’s front line looks sharp, confident, and increasingly clinical—exactly the kind of form teams need at the business end of AFCON.
Match Summary: Nigeria 4–0 Mozambique
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 20th minute, when Ademola Lookman struck to put the Super Eagles ahead. Soon after, Victor Osimhen doubled the lead in the 25th minute, capitalising on Nigeria’s pressure and Mozambique’s inability to play out of danger.
Nigeria returned from the break with the same intensity and made it 3–0 in the 47th minute, with Osimhen completing his brace early in the second half. The Super Eagles then added a fourth in the closing stages, as Akor Adams found the net to complete the rout.
Final score: Nigeria 4–0 Mozambique
Scorers: Lookman (20’), Osimhen (25’, 47’), Akor Adams (70’)
Lookman’s Masterclass and Osimhen’s Clinical Finish
While Osimhen grabbed the headlines with two goals, Lookman’s all-round influence stood out. Reuters reported that Lookman not only scored the opener, but also created multiple goals, producing a performance that kept Mozambique pinned back and repeatedly exposed spaces behind their defensive line.
CAF’s official report credited Lookman with a goal and highlighted his link-up play with Osimhen and Adams as Nigeria “dominated from start to finish.”
For Nigeria, this combination is a major tournament advantage: when Osimhen attacks the box aggressively and Lookman supplies intelligent final passes, the Super Eagles become extremely difficult to contain.
Mozambique’s Night to Forget
Mozambique entered the knockout stage with momentum, but Nigeria’s tempo quickly neutralised them. Reuters noted Mozambique created only limited danger, with Nigeria’s structure and pace in transition shutting down their best moments. Reuters
Mozambique’s biggest problem was not just defending—it was escaping Nigeria’s press long enough to build attacks. Once Nigeria scored first, the match tilted fully in the Super Eagles’ favour.
What This Win Means for Nigeria
This victory sends Nigeria into the quarter-finals with confidence and momentum. CAF confirmed Nigeria will learn their quarter-final opponents after the next Round of 16 fixture, while Channels Television reported Nigeria will face either Algeria or DR Congo in a quarter-final scheduled in Marrakesh.
Beyond qualification, this 4–0 win also strengthens Nigeria’s tournament credentials. Reuters described it as the largest winning margin of the tournament so far, underlining Nigeria’s growing attacking rhythm as the knockout rounds intensify.
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