Ademola Lookman was on fire, contributing to all four goals as the Super Eagles of Nigeria trounced the Mambas of Mozambique at the Fez Stadium on Monday, January 5, sealing their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations  (AFCON) in Morocco.

After winning all three of their group-stage matches, Nigeria started on the front foot against a Mozambique side playing in their first AFCON knockout match. Striker Victor Osimhen found the net inside the opening 120 seconds, but his effort was ruled out for offside before Lookman then clinically converted Akor Adams’ pass to give Nigeria the lead in the 20th minute.

Five minutes later, the three-time African champions doubled their advantage, with Osimhen tapping into an empty net from a Lookman cross that was deflected by Adams. The Super Eagles continued to knock on the door but did not find the net again until three minutes into the second half, when Osimhen prodded home Lookman’s cross at the back post.

Osimhen’s outburst at his teammates briefly soured what had been a rhythmic display by the Super Eagles. However, after his substitution, Nigeria regained their composure and wrapped up a great shift with Adams curling a fine strike from the edge of the box after beating his marker to send the Eagles flying into the last eight.

The victory takes Nigeria’s total AFCON quarter-final qualifications to 12 — the most by any country since the 1992 edition of the tournament. They will face the winner of the round-of-16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo.