Nigeria made a bold statement in the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 knockout stage, hammering Mozambique 4-0 to storm into the quarterfinals. It was a complete performance: fast, focused, and ruthless in both boxes. The Super Eagles had the game under control by halftime at 2-0 and never looked back.

This win builds on their confident group-stage form, which included a sharp 3-1 victory over Uganda. In knockout football, timing is everything, and Nigeria hit top gear at the right moment.

Relentless in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16

From the first whistle, Nigeria played with calm and purpose. They controlled the pace, picked their passes, and attacked in bursts. The first half showed the plan: get the ball quickly to the front line, support with runners, and punish every mistake.

The scoreboard told the story. Two goals before the break gave Nigeria breathing room and belief. Mozambique, forced into two halftime changes, struggled to slow the tempo or find clear chances. Nigeria made no halftime substitutions, a sign of trust from the bench in a team that was already in rhythm.

“This front three looks built for knockout football.”

Osimhen’s brace: the cutting edge

Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s star striker, was again the difference in the box. He scored twice, taking his tally to three goals at AFCON 2025. His movement pulled defenders around. His finishes were clean and confident. In games like this, the first chance can set the tone — and Osimhen set it with power.

As one broadcast call summed it up on the night: “Nigeria romped to a fourgoal defeat of Mosmbique. And they march into the quarterfinals with a great deal of confidence. Lookman, Osimman and Akor Adams all on the score sheet tonight. Osimman at the double.” The words were breathless, but the meaning was clear: Nigeria’s attack was on song.

Lookman’s timing and calm

Ademola Lookman added a composed finish to keep the pressure on Mozambique. That goal also lifted him to three goals in the tournament. Lookman’s value is not only about scoring; it’s about when he scores. His timing, in transition and in tight pockets, is giving Nigeria balance on the flanks and a steady outlet when the play bends under pressure.

“Osimhen’s movement scares teams before kickoff.”

Akor Adams: the connector and the finisher

Akor Adams had the kind of night that changes tournament plans. He scored one goal and served two assists, linking play and arriving in the right spots. The goal marks his third international strike, and it came with confidence. A line from the broadcast captured the moment: “Akor ADAMS TIGHT ANGLE DRILLS IT IN HAS HIS third international goal… What a strike averaging three goals a match. That’s championship quality.”

Another voice on the broadcast added, “for a man who likes to shoot like myself I can say class. This is world class.” That is high praise, and on this evidence it felt earned. Adams was a constant option, slipping passes into space and finishing with force when the opening came.

Control, calm, and a clean path to the last eight

Nigeria’s poise stood out. Leading 2-0 at halftime, they stayed patient. There was no rush to force plays or to overcommit. The back line stayed organized. The midfield kept the ball moving and broke up counters. With no changes at the break for Nigeria and two for Mozambique, the pattern stayed the same: Nigeria in control, Mozambique chasing.

When the third goal arrived, the match was settled. The fourth underlined the gulf on the day. There are no easy wins at this stage, but Nigeria made it look simple by doing the basics well and letting their stars shine.

“Adams is undroppable right now: goals, assists, glue.”

Why this win matters for Nigeria’s AFCON push

In tournament football, form and confidence build fast. Nigeria arrived in the knockouts with momentum from the group stage, including a 3-1 win over Uganda. This 4-0 shows that form is real. It shows depth. It shows variety in attack. Osimhen is scoring. Lookman is scoring. Adams is scoring and creating. That balance makes Nigeria hard to plan for.

There is also a mental edge. The team looked fresh and focused. They managed the game well, from the early press to the late control. That ability to switch gears — quick when needed, patient when required — is a mark of a contender.

What’s next: quarterfinals and rising expectations

The job now is to carry this level forward. Clean structure at the back. Smart choices in midfield. Sharp finishing up front. Nigeria will face tougher tests, but this is the kind of Round of 16 display that sets a tone for the rest of the tournament.

Fans will dream bigger after a scoreline like this. The players will know that every minute counts from here. But if this night is a guide, the Super Eagles have the tools and the temperament to go deep.

Final word

From first touch to last whistle, Nigeria looked like a team on a mission. A 4-0 win, a brace for Osimhen, a goal for Lookman, and a star turn from Akor Adams with a goal and two assists — these are the signs of a side that believes. As the broadcast voice put it, this felt like “world class.” The quarterfinal awaits, and Nigeria will fly into it with confidence.