…Lookman emerges man of the match
Super Eagles Admola Lookman was voted the Man of the Match in the victory over Mozambique as the team progressed to the last eight of the AFCON.
Lookman who has so far scored three goals in the tournament multiple assists to his credit had an impressive run against Mozambique ensuring the opponents had so much to worry about.
It was Lookman’s second MOTM award at the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, having scooped the award against Tunisia in the hard fought 3-2 win by the Super Eagles.
In the meantime, it was a five star performance by the Super Eagles against Mozambique at the Complexe Sportif de Fès., with Nigeria winning 4-0 and zooming into the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Star striker Victor Osimhen scored a brace, while Lookman and Akor Adams got a goal each as Chelle’s men became the sixth side to reach the final eight.
Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco had earlier sealed qualification for round of eight
The Super Eagles made a brilliant start to the game with Victor Osimhen scoring within two minutes, only for his goal to be immediately ruled out for offside.
Iwobi then had a decent effort from outside the box saved by Ernan in the fifth minute as Nigeria kept pushing for an early goal.
The Super Eagles eventually found the lead in the 20th minute through Ademola Lookman.
The goal started with an amazing pass from Iwobi, picking out Akor Adams who cut the ball back for Lookman inside the box.
The Atalanta forward was clinical in front of goal, scoring his third of the tournament to make it 1-0.
Five minutes later, the Super Eagles extended their advantage as another outstanding pass from Iwobi reached Lookman on the left side.
The winger then fired a brilliant cross into the box which took a slight deflection before Osimhen tapped in from close range.
Nigeria continued to dominate most of the possession and came close to adding a third goal just before half-time as Akor Adams did well to get the better of two Mozambique defenders at the edge of the box, but his shot went wide.
Few minutes later, Lookman and Adams failed to make the most of a rapid counter-attack, keeping the scores at 2-0.
The Super Eagles made it 3-0 few seconds into the second half as Lookman continued to torment Mozambique’s defense, dancing his way into the box before firing a squared pass for Osimhen to tap in, all but sealing Nigeria’s place in the next round.
It marked Osimhen’s third goal of the tournament and Lookman’s sixth goal involvement.
Nigeria added a fourth goal in the 75th minute, with Lookman getting another assist.
This time he found Sevilla striker Akor Adams who fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net, making it 4-0.
The strike marked Nigeria’s 12th goal of the tournament, more than any other nation so far.
Nigeria will now face the winner of the round of 16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo in the quarterfinals scheduled for Saturday, January 10.
