Victor Osimhen scored twice as Nigeria secured a 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie, advancing to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria's Super Eagles delivered a dominant performance against Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations on January 5, 2026, in Fès, Morocco. Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a first-time finish from Akor Adams' cutback, following a through ball from Alex Iwobi. Victor Osimhen, who started without his trademark mask but restored it before his first goal, poked in the second in the 25th minute from Lookman's cross, assisted by Adams. Just after halftime, Osimhen netted the third with a finish from Lookman's low ball across the goal in the 47th minute. Akor Adams sealed the 4-0 win in the 75th minute, rifling in a shot from Lookman's supply inside the box.
This marked the biggest winning margin in an AFCON knockout tie since Egypt's 4-0 semi-final victory over Algeria in 2010. Mozambique, making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed group teams, could not compete against a much-changed Nigerian side under coach Eric Chelle, who rotated players after a 3-1 group win over Uganda.
Lookman, the 2024 African footballer of the year and former winner like Osimhen, was pivotal, scoring and assisting all goals. Osimhen, the 2023 African player of the year, ended a seven-match AFCON scoring drought with three goals in the tournament. Nigeria now faces either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Marrakesh, with a potential rematch against DR Congo, who beat them on penalties in a World Cup qualifier last November.
