Osimhen and Lookman Guide Nigeria to Comfortable AFCON Quarter-Final Progression

Victor Osimhen netted a brace as Nigeria swiftly dispatched Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, advancing to the quarter-finals with a decisive 4-0 win in their round of 16 encounter.

Ademola Lookman, who previously claimed the African footballer of the year title alongside Osimhen, struck first after 20 minutes in Fes, Morocco, and played a key role in creating the remaining three goals during the match.

Osimhen began the fixture without his usual face mask but donned it prior to scoring Nigeria's second goal in the 25th minute. He added another shortly after the interval, with Akor Adams completing the scoring.

This marks the largest margin of victory in an AFCON knockout match since Egypt's 4-0 semi-final thrashing of Algeria at the 2010 edition in Angola.

"I am delighted. The team delivered a strong showing, netting four times. Plenty to celebrate. We hope to maintain this form," commented Lookman, who earned man of the match honours.

Eager to compensate for missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles proceed to a quarter-final clash on Saturday in Marrakesh versus either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those sides meet in the last 16 on Tuesday, and a win for DR Congo would give Nigeria an opportunity to settle the score from their penalty shootout loss to the Leopards in a November World Cup qualifier.

Mozambique reached the knockout rounds for the first time, having progressed as one of the top third-placed teams from the groups.

They proved no challenge for a revamped Nigerian lineup, altered significantly from their closing group fixture, a 3-1 success over Uganda where coach Eric Chelle rested several starters.

Atalanta's Lookman, who netted in the 3-2 group victory against Tunisia, returned to the starting eleven, and the 2024 African player of the year put his side ahead as the first half neared its midpoint.

Alex Iwobi's pass freed Adams on the left edge of the area, and his pull-back allowed Lookman to finish cleanly.

The 28-year-old then assisted, delivering a cross from the left in the 25th minute that Adams flicked on for Osimhen to nudge home from close quarters.

The Galatasaray forward shook off a rough tackle soon after, as Witi's knee connected with Osimhen's midsection during a challenge.

Lookman's driven pass across the goalmouth from the left was tapped in by Osimhen in the 47th minute, extending the lead to 3-0 and quashing any hopes of a Mozambique recovery.

The 2023 African footballer of the year had endured a seven-match AFCON goal drought before scoring against Tunisia in the groups, and he now boasts three strikes at the Morocco tournament.

Lookman contributed once more, feeding Adams in the penalty area with 15 minutes left, and the Sevilla striker blasted the ball into the top corner.