By Kunle Solaja, Fes

Nigeria recorded the highest scoreline and widest winning margin of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 4–0 demolition of Mozambique on Monday night, a result that echoed the Super Eagles’ recent 4–0 thrashing of the Benin Republic in an October international.

In a Round of 16 contest that underlined Nigeria’s growing authority in Morocco, Nigeria national football team delivered a performance of rare control and ruthlessness.

Ademola Lookman was the architect-in-chief, scoring once and supplying three assists, while Victor Osimhen struck twice to take the Super Eagles emphatically into the quarter-finals. Akor Adams completed the rout with a superb late finish.

The four-goal margin now stands as the biggest win recorded at the tournament so far — and it could have been far heavier. Nigeria created chance after chance, carving open the Mozambique defence with pace, movement and precision, but were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal.

Mozambique, appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, were quickly overwhelmed by Nigeria’s intensity and athleticism. The warning signs came as early as the second minute when Osimhen swept the ball into the net from Frank Onyeka’s cross, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Lookman ghosted into the box and calmly side-footed home from Adams’ pull-back to open the scoring. Five minutes later, the winger again tormented the Mozambique back line, driving a low ball across goal for Osimhen to tap in at the back post.

Nigeria resumed after the interval with the same purpose. Just two minutes into the second half, Lookman benefited from a fortunate rebound before squaring once more for Osimhen, who finished ahead of the scrambling defence to make it 3–0.

The pick of the goals arrived in the 75th minute. Released by Lookman, Adams struck a ferocious shot from a tight angle that flew past the goalkeeper to crown Nigeria’s most emphatic display of the competition.

Both Lookman and Osimhen — former African Footballers of the Year — now have three goals apiece at the tournament, underlining Nigeria’s attacking depth and balance.

Mozambique’s only meaningful opening came in the 24th minute when Geny Catamo threaded a pass through for Faizal Bangal, but the danger was swiftly snuffed out by a well-organised Nigerian defence.

Nigeria now move on to Marrakech, where they will face either Algeria national football team or the DR Congo national football team on Saturday, carrying momentum — and the tournament’s most emphatic scoreline — into the quarter-finals.

For Mozambique, the heavy defeat ended a historic campaign that had already delivered a landmark moment: their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations knockout appearance, achieved after a dramatic 3–2 group-stage win over Gabon as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to a leg injury, the Moroccan FA said on Monday.

Morocco secured their place in the quarter-finals after beating Tanzania 1-0 on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Brahim Diaz, who celebrated by lifting a shirt bearing Ounahi’s name.

“Medical tests confirmed that Azzedine Ounahi has suffered a muscle injury in his leg. It was officially announced that he will miss the competition,” Moroccan FA said in a statement.

The 25-year-old Girona midfielder, who appeared on crutches while watching the round of 16 game, will remain with Walid Regragui’s side “to support his teammates throughout the rest of the Africa Cup of Nations”.

Hosts Morocco face five-time champions Cameroon on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Rabat enroute Fes

Nigeria’s Super Eagles head into the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with a sense of confidence tempered by caution, mindful of a painful lesson from the recent past.

At the 2021 finals in Cameroon, Nigeria appeared perfectly placed for a deep run. The Super Eagles swept through the group stage with a 100% record, winning all three matches at the same venue in Garoua and building momentum ahead of the Round of 16. Their next opponents, Tunisia, arrived weakened by Covid-19, with several key players and officials ruled out after testing positive.

Yet, against expectation, Tunisia produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, eliminating Nigeria and abruptly ending what had looked like a promising campaign. The shock exit has since served as a reminder that knockout football at AFCON rarely follows form or logic.

Four years on, the backdrop feels uncomfortably familiar. At AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Nigeria again completed the group stage with maximum points, playing all their matches in Fes. Once more, the Super Eagles are set to face an opponent widely regarded as less fancied — Mozambique — in the Round of 16 at the Stade de Fes.

Mozambique, however, arrive buoyed by belief after reaching the knockout phase for the first time in their history, and Nigeria are wary of underestimating them.

The narrow 1–0 win by Morocco over Tanzania on Sunday offered a timely warning, as the supposedly weaker side pushed the tournament hosts to the limit.

That performance has reinforced the message within the Nigerian camp: reputations count for little once the knockout stage begins. With memories of Garoua still fresh, the Super Eagles know that discipline, focus and respect for the opposition will be crucial if they are to avoid a repeat of the 2021 disappointment and keep their quest for a fourth continental title firmly on track.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H