The Super Eagles booked their passage to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after thrashing Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 on Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
The three-time AFCON champions began the game like a house on fire as a perfect cross from Lookman was tapped into the back of the net by Victor Osimhen for the opening goal. But the Galatasaray striker’s goal was flagged offside by the linesman.
In the 5th minute, a snap shot from Alex Iwobi was parried away by the Mozambique goalkeeper for a corner kick. The resulting corner kick had no positive impact.
The Super Eagles’ early pressure almost paid off in the 10th minute after Semi Ajayi headed a well-tailored corner kick from Lookman, only for the ball to be blocked by the Mozambique defender in the 18-yard box.
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Ademola Lookman broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after a beautiful interchange of passes from Iwobi and Akor Adams to deliver a perfect cutback for the Atalanta winger to score.
The Super Eagles doubled their lead in the 25th minute through Victor Osimhen. The goal came as a result of a delightful assist from Lookman, his third assist in the tournament.
Osimhen could have netted his second goal in the space of a minute, but his header failed to threaten the Mozambique goalkeeper. In the 36th minute, Iwobi’s lobbed ball failed to hit the target.
Adams almost took the game beyond Mozambique’s reach; however, his low drive shot whistled past the goalpost. Mozambique had their own fair share of opportunity in the 45th minute, but Stanley Nwabali was called to action as he punched the ball before it was headed out by Osimhen.
Nigeria commenced the second half with another goal in the 47th minute as Osimhen scored his third goal of the tournament thanks to a precise pass from Lookman.
Mozambique had the chance to reduce the scoreline, but Geny’s shot was blocked by Calvin Bassey in the 50th minute of the game.
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In the 64th minute, Adams’ well-placed shot was parried away by the Mozambique goalkeeper, but the rebound failed to make any meaningful impact.
The Sevilla striker eventually got his goal in the 75th minute with a ballistic shot that beat the Mozambique goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Lookman almost grabbed his brace when his low drive shot whistled past the face of the goalpost.
Despite scoring four goals, the Super Eagles continue to search for more goals, as a cutback from Dele-Bashiru was not well connected by Onyedika, whose shot went way wide of the goalpost.
Mozambique’s effort to score a consolation goal proved abortive as Nigeria sealed a place in the quarter finals of the tournament.
MATCH STATISTICS
Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique
GOAL SCORERS: NIGERIA
Ademola Lookman
(20 min)
Victor Osimhen
(25, 47 min)
Akor Adams
(75 min)
GOAL SCORER: MOZAMBIQUE
Nill
LINE-UP: NIGERIA
Stanley Nwabali
Bruno Onyemaechi
Calvin Bassey
Semi Ajayi
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Alex Iwobi
Wilfred Ndidi
Frank Onyeka
Ademola Lookman
Akor Adams
Victor Osimhen
SUBSTITUTES
Moses Simon
(Victor Osimhen, 68 min)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
(Wilfred Ndidi, 82 min)
Raphael Onyedika
(Frank Onyeka, 82 min)
Paul Onuachu
(Akor Adams 85 min)
Samuel Chukwueze
(Ademola Lookman, 85 min)
HEAD COACH: Eric Chelle
LINE-UP: MOZAMBIQUE
Ernani
Bruno Langa
Dominguês
Faisal Bangal
Geny Catamo
Reinildo
Alfons Amade
Mexer
Witi
Ricardo Martins Guimaraes
Diogo Calila
SUBSTITUTES
Infren
(Dominguês, 45 min)
Kambala
(Diogo Calila, 45 min)
Chamito Alfândega
(Witi, 61 min)
Stanley Ratifo
(Faisal Bangal, 67)
HEAD COACH: Francisco Queriol Conde Júnior
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
4 Comments
I think Osimhen have to apologize to the team for his behavior toward Admola, that action isn’t good at all,
@Ubah, allow the coach to settle the 2 super stars. Every one should hv a well define role. The role of finishing attacks by scoring goals belongs to Osihmen ; lookmans role as a winger is to pass the ball to Osihmen except he is not a scoring position. If this role are not well spelt out then eventually there will be wahala..A EVidence example is Mancity . They had fantastic midfielders and wingers who can score. Because of these they werent passing to Halland and the guy was left frustrated while is confidence dip..The Coach pep gualla waded into the matter defining their roles. He told his midfielders to always pass to Halland even if the net is empty before u pass to Halland. Thats how Halland rose scoring to become highest goals scorer that year. To be candid this lookman not wanting to pass to Others not necessarily osihmen is a long standing issue.. he seems to be so much after self glory. Team success must come first
Please I beg, anyone, what happened to my Osimhen?????
Osimhen should be very careful then. He might get suspended.