Nigeria make AFCON history as 4-0 win against Mozambique secures quarter final spot | OneFootball

Nigeria took another massive step towards clinching their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after claiming a thumping 4-0 win against Mozambique.

The 2023 AFCON finalists looked every inch a team determined to go one step further this time as they ended Mozambique’s fairytale run with the minimum of fuss.

The Mambas were appearing in the AFCON knockout stage for the first time in their history, but any hope of extending that journey faded almost as soon as the game began. 

Nigeria set the tempo from the first whistle, pressing high, moving the ball quickly and pinning their opponents deep in their own half.

The Super Eagles wasted no time in testing Mozambique’s defence. Victor Osimhen thought he had opened the scoring inside two minutes, only to be denied by the offside flag.

After 20 minutes of relentless attacks, the breakthrough finally arrived. Ademola Lookman cut inside and rifled home a stunning finish to claim his third goal of the tournament.

Mozambique barely had time to regroup before Nigeria struck again five minutes later.

Lookman delivered a teasing cross that Akor Adams cleverly redirected into Osimhen’s path, and he tapped the ball into an empty net. 

Nigeria continued to create chances, with Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi going close, while Mozambique’s rare opening fell to Faisal Bangal, who headed wide when it mattered most.

The Super Eagles put the game well beyond Mozambique’s reach just minutes into the second half.

Lookman was again the provider, floating a cross to the back post where Osimhen arrived to poke home his second goal of the night. 

Nigeria refused to take their foot off the gas, with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Adams both testing the goalkeeper as they pushed for more.

That pressure eventually paid off when Adams skipped past his marker and smashed home a superb finish into the top corner, adding gloss to an already commanding performance.

The final whistle confirmed Nigeria’s joint-biggest AFCON win and their fourth straight victory at the tournament, a feat they had never achieved before.

The Super Eagles will now look ahead to the quarter-final, where they’ll face either Algeria or DR Congo.