Published On 5 Jan 2026
Similar to Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, a former African footballer of the year, opened the scoring in Fes on Monday with a 20-minute opening goal, which helped set up the other three goals on the night.
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Before scoring Nigeria’s second goal on 25 minutes, Osimhen had started the game without his signature mask. Before Akor Adams sealed the victory, he then scored again just before half-time.
Since Egypt defeated Algeria 4-0 in the semifinals of the 2010 tournament in Angola, it is the biggest winning margin in an AFCON knockout tie.
The Super Eagles will go to a last-eight tie against Algeria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday in Marrakech, determined to make up for their lack of World Cup eligibility.
A victory in the DRC’s game on Tuesday would give Nigeria a chance to reclaim their place after losing to the Leopards on penalties in a November World Cup qualifying playoff.
After advancing as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage, Mozambique made its debut in the knockout phase of an AFCON.
They could not compete with a Nigerian team that had drastically changed since their final group game when coach Eric Chelle gave them a chance to play a few unproven players in a 3-1 victory over Uganda.
Lookman, an Atalanta forward who scored in the second group game to defeat Tunisia 3-1, was one of the players who was reinstated in the starting lineup. As midway through the first half approached, Africa’s best player in 2024 gave his side the lead.
Adams was released on the left side of the box by Alex Iwobi’s through ball, and Lookman first converted his cutback.
The 28-year-old then turned provider, scoring from close range from the close range with his cross from the left headed in from Adams.
The Galatasaray striker was unhurt shortly after encountering Witi, who saw the Mozambique international knee Osimhen in the stomach.
Osimhen’s low ball, which Lookman had earlier sent across the left-facing goal, was intercepted, putting the game at 3-0 in the 47th minute, putting an end to any hope of a Mozambique comeback.
Before scoring in the group against Tunisia in the group stage, the 2023 African player of the year had lost seven AFCON games without scoring. At the Moroccan tournament, he now has three to his name.
With a quarter of an hour left, Lookman was not finished for the night, as he had already stuffed Adams inside the box and fired a high shot into the net.
Source: Aljazeera
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