Super Eagles Unleashed: 4-0 Rout Sends Mozambique Packing
By Yahaya Idris
Nigeria’s Super Eagles powered into the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-finals on Tuesday, demolishing Mozambique 4-0 in their Round of 16 clash at Fès Stadium.
The three-time champions showcased ruthless efficiency, turning the match into a procession after a flawless group stage that yielded nine points from three wins.
Mozambique, punchy underdogs who sneaked into the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F, faced an uphill battle from kickoff. In their first-ever AFCON knockout appearance, the Mambas crumpled under Nigeria’s relentless pressure, highlighting the gulf in class between the West African giants and the southern African minnows.
The floodgates opened in the 20th minute when Ademola Lukman latched onto a precise assist from Akor Adams, rifling home from the edge of the box. Five minutes later, Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s talismanic striker, ghosted into the penalty area to double the lead with a clinical finish, silencing the pockets of Mozambican support in the 35,000-capacity crowd.
Osimhen wasn’t done. Just two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute, he struck again, this time teed up by Lukman’s visionary pass, wheeling away in celebration as Nigeria’s dominance crystallized. The Napoli forward’s brace took his tournament tally to four goals, positioning him as the leading contender for the Golden Boot.
Akor Adams put the seal on the rout in the 75th minute, capping a man-of-the-match display by bundling home from close range after a scramble in the box. His goal arrival, following his earlier assist, underscored Nigeria’s depth and hunger, with the Super Eagles rarely troubled in a one-sided affair.
Midfield maestro Wilfred Ndidi skippered the engine room alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, dictating tempo with surgical precision. In goal, Stanley Nwabali marked a welcome return with a composed clean sheet, while the backline. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Bruno Onyemaechi,stood impregnable, thwarting Mozambique’s sporadic counters.Coach Antonio Calebrese, the Italian tactician steering Nigeria’s revival, rung the changes post-interval to preserve legs for the quarters. Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze replaced Adams and Lookman, with Tom Dele-Bashiru and Onyedika joining for Onyeka and Ndidi, and Moses Simon entering for Osimhen, moves that maintained control without compromising flair.
By the 80th minute, Nigeria boasted eight shots on target to Mozambique’s zero, with Nwabali reduced to a spectator as the Super Eagles toyed with possession. Stats painted a stark picture: 68% ball control, 18 total efforts, and zero concessions, a testament to Calebrese’s high-pressing blueprint.
This emphatic win propels Nigeria toward a potential fourth AFCON crown, last tasted in 2013, and reignites hopes of ending a 13-year drought. They await the victor of Wednesday’s intriguing Algeria vs DR Congo showdown, where the Desert Foxes seek revenge and the Leopards chase glory.
Mozambique exit with heads high, having exceeded expectations, but Nigeria’s statement roared loudest—Super Eagles are soaring, and the continent watches warily.
