By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a statement performance on Monday night, sweeping aside Mozambique 4–0 in their AFCON 2025 Round of 16 encounter in Fès to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria extended their flawless tournament run with another dominant display, having earlier topped Group C with a 100 per cent record. Mozambique, who reached the knockout stage for the first time as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, were no match for the Eagles’ intensity, speed and attacking quality.
The West Africans took control early and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman calmly finished off a well-worked move initiated by Akor Adams. Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s lead with a powerful strike that left the Mozambican defence scrambling.
Nigeria resumed the second half with the same attacking intent, and Osimhen struck again barely two minutes after the restart, latching onto another clever assist from Lookman to make it 3–0. Akor Adams capped off the dominant performance in the 75th minute, rifling home Nigeria’s fourth to put the contest beyond doubt.
Wilfred Ndidi marshalled the midfield as captain, combining effectively with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Stanley Nwabali returned between the posts and enjoyed a quiet evening. The defensive quartet of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi remained solid throughout, denying Mozambique any meaningful chances.
Head coach Éric Chelle rotated his squad in the second half, introducing Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze for Akor Adams and Lookman, while Tom Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika replaced Onyeka and Ndidi. Moses Simon also came on for Osimhen as Nigeria managed the game with ease.
By the 80th minute, the Super Eagles had recorded eight shots on target, while Mozambique failed to register a single effort that troubled Nwabali.
The emphatic victory keeps Nigeria firmly on course in their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they are set to face the winner of the clash between Algeria and DR Congo.
