The Nigeria Super Eagles have emphatically secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, following a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique. Coach Eric Chelle expressed satisfaction with the win but sternly reminded his squad that the journey is far from over, emphasizing the critical need for continued improvement, consistency, and maintaining a high level of quality. Chelle lauded his team's performance, highlighting their exceptional ball possession and relentless pressure whenever the ball was lost, attributing their success to the right blend of ingredients on the pitch.

The Super Eagles' offensive capabilities have been a standout feature of the tournament, with the team netting an impressive 12 goals in their first four games. A remarkable seven different players have found the back of the net, with star strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman leading the charge, each boasting three goals. This formidable attacking display underscores Nigeria's intent to go all the way and clinch a fourth AFCON title.

Amidst their strong performance, the Super Eagles camp swiftly addressed and dismissed reports of a rift between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman that arose after an on-pitch incident during the Mozambique match. Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor unequivocally stated, "There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good and we are presently at training." He clarified that the minor tension, which saw Osimhen show frustration and briefly confront Lookman, was promptly de-escalated with the intervention of captain Wilfred Ndidi. Achor also refuted claims that striker Jerome Akor Adams had abandoned the team, explaining that he had permission to visit his hospitalized mother in Fès and returned shortly after.

On the field, Nigeria's stars delivered a masterclass. Deputy captain Osimhen scored a brace against Mozambique, elevating his national tally to 34 goals in 50 appearances, just three shy of Rashidi Yekini’s illustrious record. Lookman further cemented his role as a key playmaker, adding another goal and three crucial assists to his tournament contributions. All 26 available players, including young defender Ryan Alebiosu who is on a recovery path, participated in a training session following the match, signaling team unity and focus. The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, commended the Super Eagles' performance and urged the team to re-access, retool, and re-focus their strategy, emphasizing the need for mental balance and resilience in the crucial knockout stages.

The Super Eagles are now set for a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown against Algeria on Saturday, January 10th, at the Grande Stade de Marrakech. This fixture carries significant weight, offering Nigeria a chance to settle old scores after Algeria's Riyad Mahrez famously ended Nigeria’s 2019 AFCON campaign with a decisive free-kick in the semi-finals. Algeria secured their quarter-final spot with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over DR Congo, thanks to Adil Boulbina’s 119th-minute strike. Algeria's head coach, Vladimir Petkovic, expressed enthusiasm about facing Nigeria, acknowledging them as a strong team with a legitimate chance to win the title. He stressed the importance of focus and discipline for his team in what promises to be a challenging encounter. Historically, Nigeria and Algeria share one of African football's most closely contested rivalries, with both sides recording nine wins each in 22 senior international matches, though Algeria has dominated recent encounters, winning the last four.

As the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory, individual performances are also under scrutiny. Morocco's Brahim Díaz currently leads the AFCON 2025 top scorer chart with 4 goals, while Nigeria's Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen are among several players tied at 3 goals, alongside Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. Nigeria's Raphael Onyedika has also contributed with 2 goals.

The team's success is bolstered by overwhelming fan support and corporate backing. Goldberg Lager Beer, the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles since 2018, hailed Nigeria’s “fourmidable” performance as a clear statement of intent. Through its ‘Our Beat, Our Gold’ campaign, Goldberg has been central to fan engagement, establishing viewing centers and fan experiences across Lagos and beyond. The brand is preparing to host another fan experience for the upcoming quarter-final match at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO FIELD) in Dopemu, Lagos, starting at 3:00 p.m. ahead of the 5:00 p.m. kick-off. They will also bring back their ‘Festival of Light & Drums,’ adding cultural flair to the match-day atmosphere. Goldberg's Senior Brand Manager, Kunle Aroyehun, reiterated the importance of fan support, stating, "The team is gunning for a fourth AFCON title, and the fans have a big role to play. Every cheer, every gathering and every moment of belief counts."

The full quarter-final fixtures for AFCON Morocco 2025 are confirmed as follows: Senegal vs Mali (Friday), Morocco vs Cameroon (Friday), Nigeria vs Algeria (Saturday, January 10th), and Egypt vs Ivory Coast (Saturday). The winner of the Nigeria vs Algeria clash will advance to the semi-final to face either Morocco or Cameroon, keeping Nigeria's ambitions for a fourth AFCON title very much alive.