FÈS, MOROCCO — Nigeria entered this Africa Cup of Nations encounter knowing that anything less than victory would complicate their path through the tournament, while Mozambique desperately needed points to keep their knockout stage dreams alive. The Super Eagles delivered in emphatic fashion, dismantling their opponents 4-0 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès to send a clear message to their continental rivals.
The demolition began early as Nigeria's attacking intent became immediately apparent. Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a perfectly placed right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner, assisted by the industrious Akor Adams. The Atalanta winger's clinical finish set the tone for what would become a masterclass in attacking football.
Nigeria's dominance was reflected in their statistical superiority, controlling 61.7% of possession while pinning Mozambique back for long stretches. The Super Eagles' relentless pressure paid dividends again just five minutes later when Victor Osimhen doubled the advantage. The Napoli striker showed his predatory instincts, converting from very close range to the bottom right corner after another clever assist from Adams in the 25th minute.
Mozambique's goalkeeper Ernan Siluane found himself under siege as Nigeria launched 22 shots at goal compared to Mozambique's meager two attempts. The custodian was called into action five times throughout the match, producing several crucial saves to prevent an even more embarrassing scoreline for his team.
The second half began with Nigeria picking up exactly where they left off. Just two minutes after the restart, Osimhen completed his brace with another close-range finish, this time to the bottom left corner. Lookman turned provider once again, delivering the assist that allowed the striker to tap home Nigeria's third goal of the evening in the 47th minute.
The tactical battle was decidedly one-sided as Nigeria's midfield trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi controlled the tempo and dictated play. Mozambique's attempts to press forward were consistently thwarted by Nigeria's organized defensive structure, with Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi forming an impenetrable barrier at the back.
The turning point came early in the first half when Nigeria established their rhythm and Mozambique failed to respond to the initial pressure. Once Lookman's opener found the net, the floodgates opened as the Super Eagles' confidence soared while their opponents' heads dropped visibly.
Nigeria's attacking quartet of Lookman, Osimhen, Adams, and the supporting cast created chance after chance, with Bright Osayi-Samuel providing width down the right flank and Bruno Onyemaechi offering balance on the left. The movement and interplay between the front men proved too much for Mozambique's defensive line to handle.
The final nail in the coffin came in the 75th minute when Adams capped off an excellent individual performance with a goal of his own. The striker's right-footed shot from the right side of the box found the top right corner following a devastating fast break, with Lookman once again providing the assist to complete a perfect evening for the Super Eagles.
Mozambique's frustration boiled over in the closing stages, with Faizal Bangal receiving a yellow card for a bad foul in the 62nd minute, while Nigeria's Calvin Bassey was also cautioned in stoppage time. The physical nature of the contest reflected Mozambique's desperation as they struggled to create any meaningful attacking opportunities.
Coach José Peseiro's tactical approach proved spot-on as Nigeria's high pressing and quick transitions caught Mozambique off guard repeatedly. The substitutions in the final third of the match allowed Nigeria to maintain their intensity while giving valuable tournament experience to squad players like Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, and Samuel Chukwueze.
The comprehensive nature of this victory will boost Nigeria's confidence significantly as they continue their AFCON campaign. With their attacking players in such devastating form and their defensive unit looking solid, the Super Eagles have announced themselves as serious contenders for continental glory.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will prepare for their next AFCON fixture as they continue their quest for tournament success, while Mozambique must regroup quickly to salvage their campaign and keep their knockout stage hopes alive in their remaining group matches.