Nigeria put four past Mozambique to reach the quarterfinals of the AFCON

Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Fes Stadium on Monday night.

The Super Eagles got off to a fast start and thought they had the lead inside the opening two minutes through Victor Osimhen after Frank Onyeka drilled in a cross to the back post, but the Galatasaray man’s effort was chalked off for offside.

Moments later, Alex Iwobi had his sights on goal at the edge of the area, but he dragged his strike wide.

In the 20th minute, Ademola Lookman broke the deadlock after Iwobi and Akor Adams teed up to set the winger on goal, and the Atalanta man curled home the opener.

Five minutes later, Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage after Iwobi’s through pass to Lookman was fired into the box and it took a slight deflection off Adams for the 27-year-old to tap home.

Just past the half-hour mark, Mozambique could’ve halved the deficit after Cany Catamo’s delivery from a free kick was met by Faizal Bangal, but he headed wide.

At the other end, Nigeria continued to dominate and threatened to increase the deficit as Iwobi tried his luck from a distance again, but his curling effort went just wide.

On the stroke of halftime, Adams skipped past his marker and curled his effort just wide of the far box.

Three minutes after the restart, Osimhen doubled his tally and scored the Super Eagles’ third goal of the night after Lookman drilled in a low cross in front of goal for the Nigerian no. 9 to finish past Ernan Siluane.

Moments later, Bright Osayi-Samuel was the next to have a bite at goal after he met Lookman’s cross, but the Birmingham City defender couldn’t find the target from close range.

Nigeria almost got a fourth in the 58th minute after Ernan parried away Osayi-Samuel’s shot into the path of Lookman, who dragged his effort well wide.

Minutes later, Adams made his way towards the area and tried his luck from a distance, but his curling effort was palmed away by Ernan.

In the 75th minute, Adams finally got his goal and Nigeria’s fourth after Moses Simon fed a pass to Lookman at the edge of the area, who found the Sevilla man on the right, and he unleashed a belter into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

On the stroke of full-time, Raphael Onyedika could’ve increased the deficit when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru pulled back a pass to his path, but the Club Brugge midfielder blasted his effort over from a promising position.

Moments later, substitute goalkeeper Ivan Urrubal was forced into a smart save with his legs by Simon after he volleyed Osayi-Samuel’s angled cross at the back post.

Nigeria recorded their 62nd victory in an AFCON match, one behind record-holders Egypt. The Super Eagles face Algeria/DR Congo in the quarterfinals at Marrakech Stadium on Saturday.