Nigeria crush Mozambique to reach AFCON quarter-final
Three-time African champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their 2025 AFCON quarter-final spot with an emphatic 4-0 in yesterday’s demolition of the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16 clash in Fes, Morocco. The Super Eagles showed intent early in the match played on a wet and slippery pitch following a heavy downpour a […]
Akor Adams celebrates after scoring Super Eagles fourth goal against the Mambas of Mozambique
Three-time African champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their 2025 AFCON quarter-final spot with an emphatic 4-0 in yesterday’s demolition of the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16 clash in Fes, Morocco.
The Super Eagles showed intent early in the match played on a wet and slippery pitch following a heavy downpour a few minutes before kick off as Victor Osimhen’s goal in the 2nd minute was ruled out for offside.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when former African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, finished into the top corner from Akor Adams square pass to open the scoring for the former African champions.
After sustained pressure on the Mambas’ defence, Victor Osimhen doubled the Super Eagles lead in the 25th minute.
Two minutes later, Osimhen came close to grabbing his brace but headed wide inside the box as the Super Eagles went into the break with a two goals advantage.
However, there was no stopping the former African Footballer of the Year who bagged his brace two minutes into the second half to put Nigeria three goals ahead.
With victory guaranteed, Coach Eric Chelle took off Victor Osimhen for Moses Simon before the introduction of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika for Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.
New boy, Akor Adams, then sealed Nigeria’s victory with a stunning strike in the 75th minute as the Super Eagles made a mincemeat of the Mambas.
Chelle then subbed off Lookman and Adams for Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu as the Super Eagles claimed the massive win in style.
Following the 4-0 victory, the Super Eagles are the first team to score four goals in one match at this year’s AFCON.
They have 12 goals from four matches, two more than the next-most prolific team, the Lions of Senegal who have scored 10 goals.
Interestingly, it was Stanley Nwabali’s first clean sheet since the start of the tournament.
Nigeria will face either Algeria or their 2025 World Cup nemesis, Democratic Republic of Congo, in the quarter-final match on Saturday.
Super Eagles showed composure and dominance – Mouktar Mohammed
Speaking to Daily Trust on the victory over the Mambas, Chairman of the FCT Football Association (FCT FA), Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, said the Super Eagles exhibited the required composure and dominance throughout the match.
He said “Probably, this is the best match we have played so far in the tournament. The team showed composure and dominated their opponents.”
Mohammed also said the massive win would boost the confidence of the Super Eagles going into the quarter-final.
“This is a big scoreline and it will give the players confidence as they go into the quarter-final.
“The real AFCON starts now and we shall play some of the biggest and best teams in the tournament,” said Mouktar.
He also warned the Super Eagles against complacency and advised Eric Chelle to prepare his team very well to face either Algeria or DR Congo.
“We must have an eye on the semi-final that could pitch us against the host Morocco with huge home support. So, we have three massive games to win the coveted trophy,” he said.