SUPER EAGLES STUN MOZAMBIQUE 4–0 TO BOOK AFCON QUARTER-FINAL SPOT
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Victor Osimhen struck twice as Nigeria eased past Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, securing a dominant 4–0 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Eager to atone for their failure to qualify for the World Cup, the Super Eagles advance to a quarter-final clash on Saturday in Marrakesh, where they will face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ademola Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year recipient like Osimhen, broke the deadlock after 20 minutes in Fes and went on to play a key role in the build-up to Nigeria’s remaining three goals.
Osimhen, who began the match without his trademark protective mask, donned it again before scoring Nigeria’s second goal five minutes later. The striker added his second shortly after the restart, before Akor Adams completed the emphatic victory.
The result represents the widest winning margin recorded in an AFCON knockout match since Egypt thrashed Algeria 4–0 in the semi-finals of the 2010 tournament in Angola.
Buoyed by the desire to atone for their failure to qualify for the World Cup, the Super Eagles now progress to a quarter-final encounter on Saturday in Marrakesh, where they will face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Algeria and DR Congo are set to meet in their round-of-16 clash on Tuesday, with a Congolese victory potentially setting up an opportunity for Nigeria to avenge their penalty shootout defeat to the Leopards in a World Cup qualifying play-off last November.
Mozambique, meanwhile, were making their maiden appearance in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, having advanced as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage.
They proved no match for a Nigerian side that featured several changes from the team that concluded the group stage, where head coach Eric Chelle handed opportunities to a number of fringe players in a 3–1 win over Uganda.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman — who had scored in the 3–2 victory against Tunisia in the second group match — was restored to the starting line-up, and Africa’s Best Player of 2024 duly put Nigeria ahead as the first half approached its midpoint.
Alex Iwobi’s incisive through ball released Akor Adams on the left edge of the penalty area, and his cut-back was swept home first time by Lookman. The 28-year-old then turned provider, delivering a cross from the left in the 25th minute that Adams flicked on for Victor Osimhen to finish from close range.
The Galatasaray striker emerged unscathed shortly after a clash with Witi, despite the Mozambique player catching Osimhen with a knee to the stomach.
Lookman then delivered a low cross from the left, which Osimhen converted in the 47th minute to make it 3–0, effectively ending any hopes of a Mozambique comeback.
The 2023 African Player of the Year, who had gone seven AFCON matches without scoring before netting against Tunisia in the group stage, now has three goals in the tournament in Morocco.
Lookman was not done for the night, providing a precise pass to Akor Adams inside the box with just 15 minutes remaining, allowing the Sevilla forward to unleash a powerful shot into the top of the net.
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