Morocco 2025 Review: Magnificent Nigeria Maul Mozambique 4–0

Posted : 06 January 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria swept aside Mozambique with a dominant, high-tempo display defined by purpose, urgency, and clinical finishing in Fès on Monday night, sealing qualification for the quarter-finals of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor Osimhen, earning his 50th senior cap, thought he had given Nigeria an early lead after just two minutes when he converted a cross from Bright Osayi-Samuel, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Nigeria continued to press, and defender Semi Ajayi—returning after missing the 3–1 victory over Uganda—came close with a header in the 10th minute, only for the Mozambican goalkeeper to deny him.

The breakthrough arrived after 15 minutes as Nigeria surged forward again, with Ademola Lookman hooking the ball into the net following a precise cross from Akor Adams, who had been released by a superb pass from Alex Iwobi. Five minutes later, Iwobi was once again the architect, finding Lookman on the left before the forward teed up Osimhen to double Nigeria’s advantage and register his 33rd goal in 50 appearances.

Iwobi nearly added his name to the scoresheet in the 37th minute, but his effort was pushed away for a corner as Nigeria dominated proceedings.

The three-time champions resumed the second half in the same ruthless fashion, and this time Osimhen’s goal stood. After Lookman twisted past Mozambican defenders, Osimhen was perfectly positioned to drive home Nigeria’s third, taking his international tally to 34 goals—just three shy of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time national record.

Nigeria almost made it four moments later, with Osayi-Samuel narrowly missing the target from the edge of the box. The fourth goal eventually arrived with 15 minutes remaining when Akor Adams struck emphatically into the roof of the net after a textbook assist from Lookman, marking his first AFCON goal and third for Nigeria.

Late chances followed, with Lookman and substitute Raphael Onyedika both missing narrowly, but the outcome was long decided as Nigeria completed an emphatic victory.

The result sends the Super Eagles into a quarter-final clash against the winner of Tuesday’s Round of 16 encounter between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Algeria. That match will be staged at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.

Morocco 2025 Review: Magnificent Nigeria Maul Mozambique 4–0

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