AFCON
Nigeria Post Tournament’s Biggest Win with 4–0 Rout of Mozambique
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.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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