Nigeria’s clinical efficiency continued into the knockout rounds during Monday night’s Round of 16 encounter against Mozambique at the Fez Stadium. The Super Eagles dismantled the Mambas with an authoritative 4-0 victory, featuring a brace from Victor Osimhen and additional strikes from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams. This four-goal masterclass added another $40,000 to the team’s total earnings, bringing their current scoring tally to 12 goals—the highest of any nation currently competing in the Moroccan tournament.

The team now turns its attention to a highly anticipated quarter-final “Clash of Titans” against the Desert Foxes of Algeria. The Fennecs secured their place in the final eight after a dramatic late victory over DR Congo, setting the stage for one of the most storied rivalries in African football. Nigeria will officially depart their base in Fès on Thursday morning, traveling to Marrakesh to finalize their tactical preparations for the high-stakes duel.

The showdown at the Marrakesh Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, with kick-off set for 5:00 PM local time. Head coach Éric Chelle expects to have a near-full squad at his disposal as the three-time champions pursue a spot in the semi-finals. Fans across Nigeria and the diaspora are closely monitoring the team’s progress, hopeful that the current scoring momentum will lead the Super Eagles to their first continental title in over a decade.

The post Prolific Super Eagles Accumulate $80,000 in Performance Bonuses Following AFCON Goal Surge appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

Speaking as an analyst on SuperSport, the former Manchester United and Watford striker explained that while fans often focus on raw pace, the nuances of their hold-up play and physical presence set them apart. Ighalo highlighted that Osimhen’s game thrives on a high-intensity, aggressive approach that consistently unsettles opposition defenders through persistent pressure and sharp finishing. In contrast, he viewed Adams as a striker who excels in utilizing his physical frame to anchor the attack and facilitate play for his teammates.

“Not every striker have speed. Victor is a different kind of striker to Akor. He’s the kind of striker that likes to keep the ball, bully and fight. If you see the game [against Mozambique] every time, he always tries to fight, and when he gets the chance, he shoots,” Ighalo observed during the post-match analysis.

The 2025 AFCON has served as a breakthrough stage for the partnership between the two forwards. During the rout of Mozambique, Akor Adams showcased his creative side by providing two crucial assists before netting a powerful fourth goal to open his tournament account. Osimhen, meanwhile, displayed his trademark predatory instincts by scoring twice in the first half, bringing his total for the competition to three goals. Ighalo believes that this combination of Osimhen’s “fighting” spirit and Adams’ selfless hold-up play makes the Super Eagles a nightmare for any defensive unit.

As Nigeria prepares to face either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarter-finals this Saturday in Marrakesh, the tactical insights from veterans like Ighalo continue to highlight the squad’s immense depth. The Super Eagles currently lead the tournament in scoring with 12 goals across four matches, largely due to the varying styles of their attacking personnel. Fans and pundits alike now look toward the next round to see if the complementary “bully and fight” dynamics of Nigeria’s strike force can lead the nation to its first continental title in over a decade.

The post Odion Ighalo Analyzes Tactical Differences Between Super Eagles Stars Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

Despite the Super Eagles holding a comfortable three-goal lead in the second half, television cameras captured the two marquee forwards exchanging heated words following a tactical disagreement on the pitch.

The tension escalated when the Galatasaray forward appeared to take offense at a decision made during an attacking phase, leading to a vocal confrontation that required intervention from other squad members. Shortly after the dispute, Osimhen signaled to the technical area for an immediate substitution, prompting Chelle to introduce Paul Onuachu in his place. The striker’s frustration remained evident as he bypassed the post-match celebrations, heading directly to the dressing room once the referee blew the final whistle.

During the post-match press conference at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Chelle adopted a firm stance when journalists questioned him about the potential rift between his leading attackers. While he acknowledged the incident, the coach emphasized his commitment to maintaining squad harmony and discipline behind closed doors. He made it clear that he would manage the fallout according to his own standards rather than through public scrutiny.

“What happened on the pitch will stay in the group. I don’t need to tell you what will happen, I keep that to me,” Chelle stated to the assembled media.

This development comes at a critical juncture for the Nigerian national team as they prepare for a high-stakes quarter-final encounter in Marrakech this Saturday. The Super Eagles currently await the winner of the Tuesday clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While Lookman has since attempted to downplay the severity of the argument, Chelle’s comments suggest that he intends to address the “behavioral dynamics” of his players to ensure total focus for the remainder of the tournament in Morocco.

The post Eric Chelle Hints at Disciplinary Action Following Osimhen and Lookman On-Field Altercation appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

This dominant performance ensures Nigeria’s progression into the final eight, where they currently await the winner of the Tuesday clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Earlier on Monday evening, the Pharaohs of Egypt overcame a resilient Benin Republic side with a 3-1 scoreline at the Grand Stade d’Agadir. While Benin forced the match into extra time following a 1-1 deadlock in regulation play, the record-holding champions utilized their veteran experience to score twice in the additional period. Egypt now turns its attention toward a massive quarter-final encounter scheduled for Saturday in Agadir. They will face either the defending champions, Ivory Coast, or the Stallions of Burkina Faso, depending on the outcome of today’s final Round of 16 matches.

The excitement of the knockout stage continues today, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as the remaining four nations battle for the final two spots in the quarter-final bracket. The Leopards of DR Congo will challenge the Desert Foxes of Algeria at 5:00 PM local time in Rabat, a fixture that decides Nigeria’s next opponent. Following that game, the host region will witness a high-stakes West African derby at 8:00 PM local time when Burkina Faso confronts a formidable Ivory Coast squad in Marrakech.

These results finalize a significant portion of the tournament’s “Elite Eight,” joining already qualified nations such as Senegal, Mali, Morocco, and Cameroon. Analysts expect a capacity crowd for the upcoming matches as the continent’s premier football event reaches its climax. With the quarter-final matchups nearly set, fans anticipate a weekend of intense rivalries as the road to the final in Rabat on January 18 becomes increasingly narrow.

The post Nigeria and Egypt Dominate Monday Knockouts to Secure AFCON Quarter-Final Berths appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

Lookman initiated the scoring in the 20th minute with a clinical strike and subsequently provided three assists, ensuring the Mambas had no answer for Nigeria’s offensive firepower.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year has enjoyed a prolific tournament in Morocco, amassing an incredible tally of three goals and five assists in just three appearances. His consistent brilliance has established him as the primary engine of the Nigerian attack, leading the competition in total goal involvements. Lookman’s ability to create and convert chances with equal efficiency has significantly enhanced the Super Eagles’ status as the favorites to reclaim the continental crown they last won in 2013.

Following his latest masterclass, football analysts across the continent now consider Lookman a frontrunner for the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. This recognition follows a pattern of excellence for the winger, who also secured the Player of the Match prize during Nigeria’s intense Group C victory over Tunisia. His form in Morocco continues the sensational momentum he built during the previous club season, where his historic hat-trick guided Atalanta to a maiden UEFA Europa League title.

Nigeria now advances to the final eight, where they will face the winner of the clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Head coach Eric Chelle will rely heavily on Lookman’s creative vision and technical precision to navigate the increasingly difficult challenges of the knockout phase. Fans in Nigeria and beyond are closely watching the 28-year-old as he attempts to lead his nation to glory while potentially sweeping the individual honors at the tournament’s conclusion.

The post Ademola Lookman Secures Man of the Match Honors as Nigeria Crushes Mozambique in Fès appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

The incident occurred in the second half after Lookman opted for an individual effort rather than passing to a well-positioned Osimhen, leading the Galatasaray striker to voice his frustration and subsequently signal the bench for a substitution.

The temporary tension stood in stark contrast to the duo’s lethal partnership earlier in the match. Lookman served as the primary architect of the Super Eagles’ attack, providing the direct assists for both of Osimhen’s goals in the first half. While the exchange appeared intense on camera—requiring captain Wilfred Ndidi to intervene—Lookman utilized his post-match media availability to emphasize the strength of their personal and professional bond. He insisted that the collective success of the squad far outweighs any brief competitive disagreements that occur in the heat of a knockout fixture.

“I don’t think that is really important, the team won 4-0,” Lookman told journalists during the post-match press conference in Fes. “Vic is my number one guy, everybody knows this. Top striker, top player so all of the rest is not important.”

Head coach Éric Chelle echoed this sentiment, choosing to view the passion displayed by his star attackers as a sign of their winning mentality rather than a rift in the locker room. The Super Eagles have now established themselves as the most potent offensive side in the tournament, recording 12 goals across four matches. Lookman’s individual tally continues to rise, as he now boasts eight direct goal involvements in Morocco, further solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the Player of the Tournament award.

With the Mozambique hurdle cleared, Nigeria now turns its focus toward a quarter-final matchup in Marrakesh this Saturday. The Super Eagles will face the victor of the high-stakes encounter between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the team pursues its first continental title since 2013, the harmony between Lookman and Osimhen will remain vital to overcoming the increasingly difficult challenges of the knockout rounds.

The post Ademola Lookman Downplays Heated Victor Osimhen Exchange Following Nigeria’s 4-0 AFCON Triumph appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.

The 28-year-old Atalanta winger secured his second Man of the Match award of the tournament, cementing his reputation as the competition’s most dangerous creative force.

Bassey, who marshaled the defense to Nigeria’s first clean sheet of the campaign, emphasized the immense quality Lookman brings to the national team. The Fulham center-back noted that while the entire squad performed at an elite level at the Fez Stadium, Lookman’s individual brilliance provided the spark that dismantled the Mozambican defense.

“Yeah, he (Lookman) was good, he was amazing. I think he played with so much quality. You could have singled out any one of the boys,” Bassey told Soccernet.ng during a post-match interview.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently honored Lookman’s consistency by including him in the official Team of the Group Stage, where he stood as the sole representative for Nigeria. His latest masterclass in the knockout phase brings his total goal involvements to eight for the tournament, a tally that leads all other players in the competition. Lookman’s ability to transition rapidly and deliver incisive passes has transformed the Super Eagles into the most prolific attacking unit in Morocco, with the team now totaling 12 goals in just four matches.

Nigeria’s victory sets up a high-profile quarter-final clash against the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo fixture. As the Super Eagles pursue their fourth continental title, the synergy between Lookman and strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams remains their greatest asset. Head coach Eric Chelle will rely on Lookman’s continued excellence to navigate the upcoming challenges as the tournament moves toward its final stages in Marrakech.

The post Calvin Bassey Praises ‘Amazing’ Ademola Lookman as Nigeria Crushes Mozambique to Reach AFCON Quarter-Finals appeared first on TV360 Nigeria.