Nigeria cruise past Mozambique 4–0 to seal a place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals
Nigeria produced one of their most complete performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, January 5, 2026, sweeping aside Mozambique 4–0 in their Round of 16 encounter at the Stade de Fès to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles arrived in Fès in confident mood following a perfect group-stage campaign and wasted little time asserting their authority against a Mozambique side making their first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds of the competition.
Nigeria dominated possession from the outset, pressing high and forcing repeated errors from the Mambas’ back line.
Their early intent paid off in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman opened the scoring, timing his run perfectly to meet a flowing attacking move before calmly placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Ernan.
Mozambique struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pace and movement, particularly down the flanks.
Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled the lead, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to tap home from close range after a teasing cross from Lookman.
Mozambique offered brief resistance through Geny and Faizal, but their attacking efforts were comfortably handled by the Super Eagles’ defence.
Nigeria resumed the second half with the same intensity and extended their lead just two minutes after the restart, as Osimhen pounced on a loose ball in the box to make it 3–0 and effectively put the contest beyond reach.
With the match under control, head coach Eric Chelle introduced fresh legs to maintain energy levels.
The substitutions allowed Nigeria to retain possession, limit Mozambique’s opportunities, and continue to threaten on the counterattack.
The fourth goal arrived in the 75th minute when Akor Adams capped an impressive performance by getting on the scoresheet, sealing a dominant display from the West African giants.
Mozambique continued to push forward in search of a consolation goal, but Nigeria’s defensive structure remained solid to preserve another clean sheet.
Nigeria became the first team to score four goals in a single match at AFCON 2025 and have now won all their games in the tournament.
The Super Eagles will turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo tie on Tuesday, January 6.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
