Nigeria will face Algeria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the quarter-finals of the 2025 African Cup of Nations after a 4-0 win over Mozambique.
Published January 5, 2026
Victor Osimhen scored a brace as Nigeria scored a short goal against Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations as they advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-0 win in a last-16 tie.
Ademola Lookman, who also shared Osimhen’s African Player of the Year award, scored the opening goal after 20 minutes against Fez on Monday and helped set up three other goals on the night.
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Osimhen started the match without wearing his trademark mask, but put it back on before scoring Nigeria’s second goal in the 25th minute. They then scored again just after halftime, with Eiko Adams clinching the win.
This is the largest difference in points in an AFCON knockout tie since Egypt defeated Algeria 4-0 in the semi-finals of the tournament in Angola in 2010.
Determined to make amends after missing out on the World Cup, the Super Eagles will play Algeria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Marrakech on Saturday to book a place in the last eight.
The two teams will meet in the last 16 on Tuesday, and if Democratic Republic of the Congo wins, Nigeria will have a chance to avenge their loss to Leopards on penalties in November’s World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Mozambique appeared in the knockout phase of AFCON for the first time after coming through as one of the best third-place teams in the group stage.
They were no match for Nigeria’s team, which had changed drastically in the final group game. Coach Eric Schell gave a few bit players a chance in their 3-1 win against Uganda.
Atalanta forward Lookman was one of the players brought back into action in the 3-2 win over Tunisia in the second group game, and Africa’s best player in 2024 gave his team the lead midway through the first half.
Alex Iwobi’s through ball found Adams on the left side of the box, and his cut-back was converted by Lookman for the first time.
The 28-year-old then turned provider and in the 25th minute a cross from the left was assisted by Adams and Osimhen pushed the ball in from close range.
The Galatasaray striker faced Witi shortly afterwards and emerged unscathed despite the Mozambican player taking a knee to Osimhen’s stomach.
Osimhen made it 3-0 in the 47th minute when Lookman sent a low ball across the face of the goal from the left, ending Mozambique’s chances of a comeback.
The 2023 African Player of the Year had failed to score in seven AFCON games before scoring in the group stage match against Tunisia. He currently has three tournaments to his name in Morocco.
Lookman wasn’t done for the night and with 15 minutes left he fed Adams a pass into the box and the Sevilla forward fired a shot high on goal.
Earlier in the day, Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1 to qualify for the next round, where either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso await.
