Afcon 2025: Nigeria cruise past Mozambique to reach quarter-finals

Nigeria make emphatic quarter-final statement in Fes

Nigeria swept into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in Fes, producing a performance that underlined their credentials as challengers for the trophy. Victor Osimhen scored twice, Ademola Lookman opened the scoring, and Akor Adams capped a standout display with a late fourth as the Super Eagles became the first team to score four goals in a match at this year’s tournament.

Eric Chelle’s side were heavy favourites, but the manner of the win carried its own significance. Nigeria were on top from the start, created chances throughout, and secured a first clean sheet in six outings at the finals after conceding four times during the group stage. The result also means Nigeria will now face either Algeria or DR Congo in Saturday’s quarter-final in Marrakech (16:00 GMT).

Fast start, early warning, then the breakthrough

Nigeria’s intent was clear almost immediately. Within the first two minutes, Osimhen had an effort ruled out for offside, a moment that foreshadowed the pressure Mozambique would face for much of the night.

The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Akor Adams cut the ball back into a dangerous area and Lookman curled home to make it 1-0. Five minutes later, Nigeria doubled the advantage through Osimhen. The move began with incisive play through midfield by Alex Iwobi, who released Lookman; his ball across took a deflection off Adams and Osimhen turned it in from close range.

Mozambique, making their first appearance in the knockout stage, struggled to contain Nigeria’s relentless attacking play and offered little threat going forward as the Super Eagles took firm control before the interval.

Osimhen strikes again after the restart

Nigeria’s dominance continued into the second half, and the game moved further out of Mozambique’s reach early after the restart. Osimhen made it 3-0, tapping in at the back post from Lookman’s clever ball across from the left to claim his second goal of the night and his third of the tournament.

Nigeria’s attacking depth and momentum were evident as they continued to pour forward in search of more goals. Even with a comfortable lead, the intensity did not drop, and the team’s consistency from the first minute to the last stood out.

Adams rewarded after two assists

Adams, who had already provided two assists, crowned his performance in the 75th minute. After more good work by Lookman, the Sevilla forward fired in a fierce strike at the near post to make it 4-0, giving Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan little chance.

Nigeria could have added more, and Ernan was kept busy before being forced off with injury in the closing stages. Substitute goalkeeper Ivan Urrubal was then called into serious action, turning away a close-range volley from Moses Simon after the winger met Bright Osayi-Samuel’s angled cross.

Key attacking figures set the tone

Several Nigeria players shaped the contest. Iwobi served as a hub of creativity, while Lookman and Adams provided invention and movement that repeatedly unsettled the Mozambique defence. Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, boosted his confidence with two close-range finishes and ended the night with a brace.

There was also a broader statistical marker attached to the win. This was Nigeria’s 62nd victory in an Afcon match, leaving them one behind record-holders Egypt, who earlier beat Benin after extra time with the help of a Mohamed Salah goal.

Clean sheet and consistency add to Nigeria’s momentum

Beyond the four goals, the clean sheet was a notable step for Nigeria at these finals. Having conceded four times in the group stage, shutting out Mozambique provided a point of pride ahead of the tougher tests to come.

Nigeria’s overall tournament profile remains strong. They entered the knockout stage as one of two sides with a perfect record alongside Algeria, and they have failed to reach the last eight only once since the quarter-final stage was introduced in 1992. Still, recent history offers a reminder that early form does not guarantee a deep run: the last time Nigeria started an Afcon so well, in 2021, they exited in the last 16 against Tunisia.

What comes next: quarter-final opponent and potential route

Nigeria will discover their quarter-final opponents when Algeria and DR Congo meet in Rabat (16:00 GMT), with the winner set to face the Super Eagles in Marrakech on Saturday (16:00 GMT). The quarter-final line-up includes:

• QF3: Algeria/DR Congo vs Nigeria, Marrakech (16:00)
• QF4: Egypt vs Ivory Coast/Burkina Faso, Agadir (19:00)

A potential semi-final would be against Cameroon or host nation Morocco on Wednesday, 14 January (20:00). The third-placed play-off is scheduled for Saturday, 17 January (16:00), with the final on Sunday, 18 January (19:00).

There is also added edge in the possible match-ups. Nigeria could get the chance to face DR Congo again after losing to them on penalties in the continent’s play-off final in November, while a meeting with Algeria would repeat the Afcon 2019 semi-final, which the North Africans won.

Mozambique exit with a milestone campaign

For Mozambique, the scoreline ended a campaign that still included a landmark moment: their first-ever win in an Afcon match. Despite the heavy defeat in Fes, they can reflect on reaching the knockout stage for the first time and on group-stage performances in which they gave a good account of themselves against Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Nigeria’s focus turns to sustaining the standard

Nigeria’s 4-0 victory was both a result and a message: a display of control, attacking variety, and a defensive outcome they had been seeking at these finals. The challenge now is to carry that consistency into the quarter-finals, where the opposition will stiffen and the margins will narrow.