Nigeria progressed into the Quarter Final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after thrashing Mozambique 4-0 at the Complex Sportif de Fès Stadium, Morocco.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, historically, have not lost a game against Mozambique, having previously won 4 of 5.

They extended that run today in a clash that mattered most, as Mozambique stood in their way into the Quarter Final.

Nigeria got into the groove early after Victor Osimhen put the ball into the back of the net in the 2nd minute off a cross from Bright Osayi-Samuel, but the goal was ruled out after he had strayed offside.

The team kept trying to build, but Alex Iwobi took charge in the 19th minute, dropping deep and picking out a pass that found Adams, and Adams’ cutback found Ademola Lookman, who scored the opener in the 20th minute.

He did the same again in the 25th minute after he found Ademola Lookman, who crossed to the back post and Osimhen was there to guide it in.

Here, Timothy Dehinbo breaks down the key talking points in Nigeria’s win against Mozambique.

Alex Iwobi has always been a showman. It’s in his game

Alex Iwobi put on a show to remind everyone that he is very key to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

If there were ever any doubts about what Alex Iwobi could offer in a team, today’s performance was a very silencing one.

He didn’t score or assist any goal, but all Nigeria’s three goals came off his fine intuition and ability to dictate the play.

Remember the first instance: Nigeria had tried to build off the right side of defence, linking the right midfield side where Onyeka was, but didn’t break down the Mozambique defense.

Iwobi took charge in the 19th minute, dropped deep to receive the pass, and the next pass from his foot was a through ball into the goal area that found Akor Adams. Adams brilliantly ran in and put in a beautiful cutback that found Ademola Lookman’s feet to give Nigeria the lead.

The second Nigeria goal also happened in the same scenario. He dropped deep into the defence, but in a stylish pass into the wide side of the Mozambique defence found Ademola Lookman. Lookman took charge and crossed the ball into the box; Osimhen was at the back post to score Nigeria’s second.

The third for Nigeria also had Alex showing it again. He got the ball, put it into the left-hand channel of the opponent’s defence, Lookman brilliantly dribbled, and crossed to the back post again, with Osimhen thumping it in.

Alex Iwobi was so dominant that, aside from these moments, his instinct to find spaces was crucial to whatever offensive transitional move Nigeria made.

Iwobi showed that he is a showman in today’s game, but it was only a reminder, he has always been this way.

Welcome to Ademola Lookman’s Cup of Nations

Maybe the Africa Cup of Nations should now bear the name Lookman’s Cup of Nations. Lookman’s first competition for Nigeria was the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

He came into that tournament and put up a great show for Nigeria, becoming the team’s most crucial player.

Now, in the 2025 AFCON, Lookman can’t stop shining for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Lookman has scored 3 goals in this competition and provided 4 assists in 3 games, that’s class.

Lookman has shown that all things goals for the Super Eagles should come through him.

It is the Ademola Lookman Cup of Nations, and there’s nothing that can be done about it.

Interestingly, when asked at the Post matcg Press Conference if he is chasing the Highest Goalscorer award by Elegbete TV Sports, Lookman said:

“No.”

He maintained that his priority is about the team alone, and his goals are just about counting for the team.

Akor Adams’ Deserved Goal

Adams, since making his debut for Nigeria in November, has proved that he is the kind of player who can form a good partnership with Victor Osimhen upfront.

He’s been brilliant with Nigeria, and after all the hard work he’s put in so far in the tournament, he finally got his reward.

He made the assist for Ademola Lookman’s goal in the 20th minute, the second for Victor Osimhen in the 25th minute, and he capped the beautiful performance off with a thunderous strike in the 75th minute after receiving a pass from Ademola Lookman.

Adams is here to stay, and Nigerian fans will love all that comes with it.

Finally, Nigeria’s goalpost is safe

At the pre-match Press Conference ahead of the game, Coach Eric Chelle stressed how much he and his team have been working on keeping a clean sheet.

A couple of players were also asked at Nigeria’s last training session on Sunday evening how worrying it was. Bassey, the leader of the defence, stressed that it was something that concerned them, but as a collective, he knows they have not been bad.

The team showed that today, earning the much-deserved clean sheet they had craved.

Nigeria didn’t concede, the team scored four, and they are into the Quarter Final.

Up Next For Nigeria?

Nigeria will play the winner of Algeria/Congo in the Quarter Final on Saturday, 10th January 2026, at Stade de Marrakech.