The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a historic and emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco, securing their place in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025. This dominant Round of 16 performance not only showcased Nigeria’s ruthless efficiency but also set new records, further solidifying their status as genuine title contenders in the tournament.

From the outset, Nigeria asserted complete control, wasting no time in establishing their dominance. Although an early effort was ruled offside, the breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman calmly slotted home following an intelligent pass from Alex Iwobi to Akor Adams. Five minutes later, the lead was doubled as Victor Osimhen, responding to weeks of criticism, cleverly deflected a pinpoint cross from Akor Adams to make it 2–0. By halftime, the statistics told a clear story of Nigeria’s authority, with Mozambique failing to register a single shot on target.

The second half brought no respite for Mozambique as Nigeria maintained their intensity. Just two minutes after the restart, Lookman continued his magnificent display, gliding past three defenders before squaring the ball for Osimhen to tap into an empty net, completing his brace and extending the lead to 3–0. The goals kept coming, and in the 75th minute, Akor Adams—instrumental throughout the contest—unleashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box to make it 4–0. The result made Nigeria the first team at AFCON 2025 to score four goals in a single match, a statement performance that reverberated across the continent.

Ademola Lookman was the undisputed Man of the Match, delivering a stellar performance in which he directly contributed to all four goals, scoring once and assisting three times. His remarkable form has propelled him to the top of the tournament’s goal contributions chart, and he now stands on the verge of breaking Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record for AFCON knockout goals. Lookman’s continued brilliance has been a breath of fresh air for the Super Eagles, cementing his importance in attack and making him a strong contender for the AFCON 2025 Player of the Tournament award.

Alex Iwobi emerged as the chief orchestrator of Nigeria’s attacking play, silencing critics and stepping further out of his uncle Jay-Jay Okocha’s shadow. His outstanding performance earned widespread praise from fans and commentators alike, with his world-class passing drawing particular admiration. Iwobi’s intelligent movement and line-breaking deliveries were pivotal, contributing directly to three of Nigeria’s four goals and highlighting his exceptional technique, dynamism, and defensive work rate throughout the match.

Victor Osimhen’s outing was a blend of brilliance and controversy. While he scored an authoritative brace to take his AFCON 2025 tally to three—bringing him closer to Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Super Eagles scoring record—his on-pitch attitude attracted criticism. Osimhen showed moments of frustration, notably berating Ademola Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for opting to shoot rather than pass to him for a potential hat-trick. This resulted in a brief shouting exchange with Lookman, slightly marring what was otherwise a celebratory night. However, Lookman later downplayed the incident, reiterating Osimhen’s importance as the team’s talisman.

Coach Eric Chelle’s tactical adjustments also proved crucial to the comprehensive victory. After facing criticism for his preferred 4–4–2 formation, Chelle successfully switched to a three-man midfield, a move that brought greater balance to the side. The inclusion of Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka alongside Iwobi strengthened Nigeria’s control in midfield and played a key role in securing their first clean sheet of the tournament. Defensively, the Super Eagles were solid, with Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Bruno Onyemaechi all delivering assured performances to neutralize Mozambique’s attacking threats.

This victory was more than just progression to the next round; it was a record-breaking spectacle. Nigeria became the first national team to win their opening four matches at an AFCON finals and extended their scoring streak at the tournament to 11 consecutive games—the longest in their history. With 12 goals scored across four matches, Nigeria’s attacking output towers above that of every other competitor at AFCON 2025. As the Super Eagles prepare for the quarter-finals, their dominant display against Mozambique stands as a clear warning to the remaining contenders: Nigeria are a force to be reckoned with.