Victor Osimhen scored twice as Nigeria swept aside Mozambique to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, producing a commanding 4-0 win in their last-16 encounter.
Ademola Lookman, like Osimhen a former African Footballer of the Year, opened the scoring after 20 minutes in Fes, Morocco, and went on to play a decisive role in all four goals.
Osimhen began the match without his familiar protective mask but put it back on before doubling Nigeria’s advantage five minutes later. The striker added his second shortly after the restart, before Akor Adams wrapped up an emphatic victory.
The result represents the biggest margin of victory in an AFCON knockout match since Egypt thrashed Algeria 4-0 in the semi-finals of the 2010 tournament in Angola.
“I’m very happy,” said Lookman, who was named man of the match. “It was a strong team performance and scoring four goals gives us plenty to be pleased about. Hopefully we can keep building on this.”
Nigeria now advance to a quarter-final in Marrakesh on Saturday, where they will face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two sides meet in the last 16 on Tuesday, with a DR Congo win setting up a chance for Nigeria to avenge their penalty shootout defeat to the Leopards in a World Cup qualifying playoff last November.
Mozambique, appearing in the AFCON knockout stages for the first time after progressing as one of the best third-placed teams from the group phase, were unable to cope with a Nigerian side that had been reshaped following their final group match.
Coach Eric Chelle had rotated his squad for the 3-1 group-stage win over Uganda, but several key players returned to the starting line-up, including Atalanta forward Lookman, who had already scored in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over Tunisia.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Alex Iwobi’s incisive through ball released Adams on the left. His cutback was met first time by Lookman, who finished confidently.
Lookman then turned provider again in the 25th minute, swinging in a cross from the left that Adams helped on for Osimhen to convert from close range.
The Galatasaray striker escaped injury shortly afterwards despite taking a knee to the stomach in a challenge with Witi. Any lingering doubt was removed two minutes into the second half when Osimhen finished off another low Lookman delivery to make it 3-0.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year had endured a seven-match AFCON goal drought before scoring against Tunisia in the group stage, but has now found the net three times at the tournament in Morocco.
Lookman completed a superb all-round display by setting up Adams once more with 15 minutes remaining, and the Sevilla forward smashed a high finish into the net to seal Nigeria’s passage into the last eight.