Ademola Lookman produced a virtuoso performance as Victor Osimhen struck twice to lead Nigeria to an emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Nigeria’s dominance was almost total when Lookman scored the opening goal and produced three assists to propel his side to the quarter-finals, where they will meet either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Akor Adams scored the other goal.
The score was the largest margin of victory at the tournament in Morocco and could easily have been doubled had Nigeria not spurned easy chances.
Mozambique, who had never before qualified for the knockout stages of the Cup of Nations, looked overwhelmed by the power and speed of their opponents.
Nigeria had the ball in the net in the second minute when Osimhen turned in Frank Onyeka’s cross, but he was clearly offside.
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It took another 18 minutes for the opening goal to arrive, with Lookman putting a powerful side-foot shot into the net after Adams’ pull-back.
Osimhen made it 2-0 in the 25th minute with an easy finish at the back post after Lookman had driven a pass across the goal.
The third goal, two minutes after half-time, was virtually identical, although Lookman was fortunate to have a rebound fall his way before passing for Osimhen to get a tap-in in front of the Mozambican defense.
Adams’ effort in the 75th minute was the best of the goals, a fierce shot from a tight angle after receiving the ball from Lookman.
Lookman and Osimhen, both winners of the African Footballer of the Year award, now have three goals each in the tournament.
Mozambique’s only chance came in the 24th minute when Geny Catamo whipped in a pass for fellow striker Faizal Bangal to run to, but he was quickly swept away by the pursuing Nigerian defense.
Nigeria moves to Marrakech, where it will play Algeria or DR Congo on Saturday.
Mozambique had won its first Cup of Nations tie in its sixth tournament appearance when it defeated Gabon 3–2 in the group stage and progressed to the knockout stages as one of the top four third-placed players.
Published on January 6, 2026
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