Nigeria delivered a commanding performance as the Super Eagles thrashed Mozambique 4–0 on Monday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice in a dominant last-16 display.

Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams were also on target at the Stade de Fès, as Nigeria recorded their most emphatic knockout-stage victory in 15 years.

Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year winner like Osimhen, opened the scoring in the 20th minute before playing a decisive role in all four goals. Alex Iwobi’s incisive through ball released Adams down the left flank, and his cut-back was converted first time by Lookman.

Five minutes later, Lookman turned provider, delivering a cross from the left that Adams flicked on for Osimhen to prod home from close range. The Napoli striker had started the match without his trademark protective mask but restored it shortly before scoring Nigeria’s second.

Osimhen added his second goal just after the interval, finishing Lookman’s low cross across the face of goal to make it 3–0 and extinguish any hopes of a Mozambique comeback. The reigning African Player of the Year had gone seven AFCON matches without scoring before netting against Tunisia in the group stage and now has three goals at the tournament in Morocco.

Lookman capped another outstanding performance by setting up Adams inside the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining, and the Sevilla forward rifled a high shot into the net to complete the rout.

Nigeria’s winning margin was the largest in an AFCON knockout match since Egypt defeated Algeria 4–0 in the semi-finals of the 2010 tournament in Angola.

Despite the emphatic result, there was a brief moment of tension during the match when Osimhen showed visible frustration after Lookman opted against a passing option. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident raised fleeting concerns before Osimhen was substituted in the 70th minute.

Speaking after the match, Lookman dismissed any suggestion of discord, insisting that unity and collective ambition remain paramount within the squad.

“Victor is our number one guy,” Lookman said. “He’s a top striker and vital to us. Moments like that happen, but they don’t change our togetherness.

“I play for the badge and my teammates. Whether it’s assists or goals, the team comes first.

“Victor’s hunger drives us. We understand each other and keep pushing. We stay calm, respect decisions, and focus on the next game.”

According to NAN, Osimhen has now recorded three goals and three assists at the tournament, while Lookman leads Nigeria’s attacking statistics with three goals and four assists, underlining the Super Eagles’ attacking depth.

Mozambique, appearing in the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after advancing as one of the best third-placed teams, were unable to cope with a Nigerian side that featured several changes from their final group match. Head coach Eric Chelle had rotated his squad for a 3–1 group-stage victory over Uganda before recalling key players for the knockout tie.

Determined to make amends for their failure to qualify for the World Cup, the Super Eagles will now face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Marrakesh. Algeria and DR Congo meet in their own last-16 tie on Tuesday, with a Congolese victory offering Nigeria the chance to avenge their penalty shoot-out defeat to the Leopards in a World Cup qualifying play-off in November.