Super Eagles soar into quarters

Nigeria eased into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as they thumped Mozambique 4-0 in Fez.

The Super Eagles were heavy favourites for a last-16 clash against a team competing in the AFCON knockout rounds for the first time.

And they swiftly and emphatically put any notion of an upset to bed as a brace from Victor Osimhen, alongside goals from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, secured a fourth win in as many games at this edition of the tournament.

Nigeria will next face either Algeria or DR Congo, the team that ended the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification hopes, as they bid to atone somewhat for that disappointment.

Nigeria ease into last eight

Osimhen had the ball in the net early on but saw the linesman’s flag correctly raised for offside, before Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi both went close.

Iwobi was to the fore as Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, playing in Adams down the left side of the box, with the Sevilla forward then pulling back for Lookman to turn home.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Iwobi’s pinpoint no-look pass from midfield found Lookman on the left, and his low cross was flicked on by Adams for Osimhen to convert a simple finish.

Nigeria ended the game as a contest two minutes into the second half, Osimhen given another tap-in at the far post after Lookman brilliantly worked his way down the left byline.

Lookman was the provider once more as Nigeria added gloss to the scoreline 15 minutes from the end of normal time. The Atalanta star played in Adams to slam home his third international goal as the Super Eagles sent a clear message to their rivals for the title ahead of the sterner test that lies in wait in Marrakech on Saturday.