Nigeria sweep aside Mozambique by 4-0 to march into AFCON quarter-finals in what can only be described as a masterclass of clinical attacking football. On Monday, January 5, 2026, the Super Eagles extended their perfect run in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, dismantling the Mambas at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. With four wins from four matches and a tournament-high 12 goals, Nigeria has firmly established itself as the team to beat in this competition.
Clinical Precision: How the Super Eagles Dominated?
From the first whistle, the Nigeria vs Mozambique clash was a one-sided affair. Although Victor Osimhen saw a spectacular second-minute strike ruled out by VAR for offside, the early scare set the tone for the rest of the match. Nigeria’s midfield, led by the creative brilliance of Alex Iwobi, dictated the tempo and left the Mozambique defense chasing shadows for much of the 90 minutes.
The Breakthrough and Early Control
The pressure finally told in the 20th minute. Akor Adams, who was a constant threat on the flank, provided a perfectly weighted cutback for Ademola Lookman. The Atalanta forward made no mistake, sliding the ball into the net to ignite the traveling Nigerian support.
Just five minutes later, the lead was doubled. Iwobi’s vision split the defense, finding Lookman, whose low cross was expertly converted by Victor Osimhen. The 2-0 scoreline at the interval was perhaps a generous reflection for Mozambique, who struggled to register a single shot on target in the first half.
Osimhen’s Brace and the Seal of Victory
The second half began exactly as the first ended. In the 47th minute, Lookman turned provider once again, dancing past the Mozambique full-back before squaring a pass for Victor Osimhen to tap in his second of the night. This brace cements Osimhen’s position as one of the top contenders for the AFCON 2025 Golden Boot.
A Rock-Solid Defense
While the attackers grabbed the headlines, the Nigerian backline was equally impressive. Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi provided a “no-fly zone” in the heart of the defense, completely neutralizing the threat of Mozambique’s star winger Geny Catamo. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained largely untested, a testament to the team’s organized structure under pressure.
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Looking Ahead: The Road to the Quarter-Finals
With this emphatic victory, Nigeria has successfully reached the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive time. The Super Eagles have now scored more goals than any other team in the tournament so far, underlining their offensive depth.
Potential Opponents: Algeria or DR Congo
The focus now shifts to Tuesday’s blockbuster clash between Algeria and DR Congo. The winner of that tie will face the Super Eagles in a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown scheduled for Saturday, January 10, in Marrakesh. Given that DR Congo was responsible for ending Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes recently, many Nigerian fans are hoping for a chance at redemption.
Match Summary and Scorers
| Minute | Scorer | Assist |
| 20′ | Ademola Lookman | Akor Adams |
| 25′ | Victor Osimhen | Akor Adams |
| 47′ | Victor Osimhen | Ademola Lookman |
| 70′ | Akor Adams | Ademola Lookman |
Nigeria sweep aside Mozambique by 4-0 to march into AFCON quarter-finals, ending the fairytale run for the Mambas. For Nigeria, the dream of a fourth African title is very much alive.
Mainstream media references and match reports from January 5, 2026.
1. CAF Online (Official)
2. Premium Times Nigeria
3. BBC Sport Africa
Link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/football/68943210
4. SuperSport
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