Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 run got even better on Monday night as the Super Eagles swept past Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16, Footynaija.com reports.
For the first time in the tournament, Nigeria finished a match without conceding, after goals had gone in during earlier wins against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage.
That clean sheet meant more. Nigeria had looked solid through the group stage, but occasional lapses gave opponents hope. But against Mozambique, those openings were closed.
The back line stayed compact, the midfield screened properly, and Stanley Nwabali was largely a spectator as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams did the damage at the other end.
After the final whistle, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali spoke to reporters about the win, the team’s defensive improvement, and how clean sheets could boost Nigeria’s chances in Morocco.
“First, I want to say kudos to these guys, from the coach to the players,” he said. “They are one family, fighting like this and winning with a clean sheet.”
“I feel like there’s a lot of improvement in the team,” he explained. “A tournament is not something you rush.”
“We played the first game, second game, third game, and we conceded. Now we’ve kept a clean sheet for you. The more we keep clean sheets, the further we will go,” the 29-year-old added.
Nwabali also played down his own role in the victory, pointing instead to the collective effort in front of him and the balance Nigeria showed throughout the contest.
“I don’t like talking about my next game until the day I’m playing,” he said. “I’m just happy we won today. You can see I didn’t do much.
“It’s nice to be on holiday. I didn’t celebrate in December, so now I’m celebrating my own December here.”
