Victor Osimhen of Nigeria celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Nigeria and Mozambique at Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco on 05 January 2026 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Monday Jan 05, 2026. 23:06
Nigeria powered into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Mozambique at the Fez Stadium on Monday.
Ademola Lookman (one goal, two assists), Akor Adams (one goal, two assists) and Victor Osimhen (two goals) were the stars for the Super Eagles, who have sent a statement of intent with this win – further underlining their status as one of the title favourites.
As for the Mambas, reaching the knockout phase of an AFCON for the first time was already a victory, and they were ultimately outclassed by a team with both superior talent and far greater tournament experience.
Nigeria settled into dominance of possession and territory from the early minutes, with Victor Osimhen seeing a goal ruled out for offside, while Alex Iwobi forced a sharp save from Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane with a snap shot.
The West Africans claimed the lead in the 20th minute, as Ademola Lookman crisply struck home a low cross from the left flank by Akor Adams.
Lookman went from scorer to provider five minutes later, playing an in-swinging cross from the left which took a deflection off Adams and allowed Osimhen an easy finish from close to make it 2-0 and put the Super Eagles in firm control.
Mozambique’s only threat on goal in the first half was a glancing header from a free kick by Faisal Bangal which skidded wide in the 35th minute.
Nigeria spurned further scoring opportunities through Adams and Lookman late in the first half, leaving the score 2-0 in their favour at the interval.
Mozambique made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, sending on Nanani and Manuel Kambala in place of Diogo Calila and veteran Elias Pelembe.
However, Nigeria needed less than 120 seconds after the restart to make it 3-0, with Lookman’s low cross from the left by-line turned home at close range by Osimhen.
Midway through the second stanza, Adams almost added his name to the score sheet, but his curling shot was well saved by Siluane.
However, the Sevilla striker would not be denied in the 75th minute, picking up a pass from Lookman before drilling a powerful shot into the net from the right side of the penalty area to complete the 4-0 score line.
The Super Eagles will face either Algeria or DR Congo in a quarterfinal at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday 10 January.
Nigeria (2) 4 (Lookman 20’, Osimhen 25’ 47’, Adams 75’)
Mozambique 0
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Osayi-Samuel, S. Ajayi, C. Bassey, B. Onyemaechi, F. Onyeka (F. Dele-Bashiru 83’), W. Ndidi (R. Onyedika 83’), A. Iwobi, A. Lookman (P. Onuachu 86’), V. Osimhen (M. Simon 68’), A. Adams (S. Chukwueze 86’)
Mozambique: E. Siluane (I. Urrubal 82’), D. Calila (Nanani 46’), Mexer, Mandava, B. Langa, Guima, A. Amade, G. Catamo, E. Pelembe (M. Kambala 46’), Witi (Chamito 62’), F. Bangal (S. Ratifo 67’)