Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, delivering one of the tournament’s most controlled performances in Fes. The Super Eagles eased through the round of 16 without ever needing to hit top gear, underlining their status as genuine contenders for the title.
Eric Chelle’s side will now face either Algeria or DR Congo in the last eight, with that fixture set to be decided on Tuesday. For Nigeria, the manner of this win mattered just as much as the scoreline. It was composed, ruthless when required, and disciplined throughout.
From the opening minutes, Nigeria made their intentions clear. Victor Osimhen thought he had given his side the lead inside two minutes, only for VAR to rule his effort out for offside. It was an early warning Mozambique struggled to heed. Nigeria continued to press with confidence, dominating possession and forcing errors without chasing the game.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Ademola Lookman finished calmly after a well-worked move, converting from close range to put the Super Eagles ahead. Five minutes later, Osimhen made no mistake this time, doubling the lead with a composed finish after finding space inside the box. The two-goal cushion at half-time accurately reflected Nigeria’s authority.
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Control, Creativity, and Ruthless Finishing
Nigeria showed no signs of easing off after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Lookman turned provider, delivering a clever ball across the box for Osimhen to tap home and complete his brace. At 3–0, the contest was effectively over.
Mozambique struggled to gain any foothold. Their attacks fizzled out quickly, and winger Geny Catamo found no joy against a disciplined Nigerian defence marshalled superbly by Calvin Bassey. The Super Eagles stayed compact at the back while continuing to stretch the game in attack.
Nigeria added further gloss to the scoreline in the 70th minute when Akor Adams struck the fourth. Adams, who had already contributed two assists, capped a fine all-round display with a confident finish. It was Nigeria’s fourth straight win of the tournament and made them the first team to score four goals in a single match at AFCON 2025.
Alex Iwobi played a key role in midfield, acting as the creative hub and linking play with intelligence and urgency. Lookman and Adams constantly troubled Mozambique’s backline with movement and invention, while Osimhen’s two goals will have boosted his confidence at a crucial stage of the competition.
Nigeria could have added more goals, with Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan kept busy before being forced off with injury late on. Still, Chelle’s side never looked reckless. They managed the game with maturity, balancing attacking ambition with defensive discipline.
Momentum Builds as Nigeria Eye the Last Eight
Beyond the scoreline, the clean sheet will please Nigeria’s coaching staff. It was their first shutout in six matches at the finals, having conceded four times during the group stage. That defensive solidity will be vital as the competition tightens and margins shrink.
Nigeria entered the knockout phase as one of only two teams with a perfect record, alongside Algeria. Yet history offered a cautionary tale. The last time the Super Eagles started an AFCON so strongly, in 2021, they exited in the last 16 against Tunisia. This time, they avoided that fate convincingly.
The performance reinforced Nigeria’s credentials as serious challengers for the trophy. Still, there remains pressure. Fans have not forgotten the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and this tournament represents a chance to restore belief and pride.
A potential quarter-final against DR Congo carries added intrigue, following Nigeria’s penalty shootout defeat to them in November’s continental play-off final. A meeting with Algeria, meanwhile, would revive memories of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, which the North Africans won.
For now, Nigeria march on with growing confidence, balance, and belief. The Super Eagles are not just winning. They are controlling games, spreading goals across the squad, and showing the kind of composure that defines tournament winners.
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Egypt Also Advance After Extra-Time Drama
Elsewhere at AFCON 2025, Egypt secured their place in the quarter-finals after edging a tense last-16 encounter against Benin with two goals in extra time. Mohamed Salah sealed the win late on, keeping his long-awaited AFCON dream alive.
After a cagey opening, Marwan Attia broke the deadlock for Egypt with a superb strike from the edge of the box. Benin responded late through Jodel Dossou, forcing extra time and briefly threatening another upset. However, Yasser Ibrahim’s looping effort restored Egypt’s lead before Salah added a stunning finish in the final minute to wrap up the contest.
Egypt will now face either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso, as the knockout stage continues to deliver drama and high stakes across Morocco.
Looking Ahead
As AFCON 2025 moves deeper into its decisive phase, Nigeria’s commanding display stands out. Quiet confidence, ruthless moments, and collective purpose have carried them into the last eight. The real tests are still to come, but the Super Eagles have made one thing clear. They are ready.
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