Oliseh Hails ‘Tearing’ Iwobi Pass in Super Eagles’ Rout of Mozambique

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has singled out Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman for special praise following Nigeria’s clinical 4-0 destruction of Mozambique in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16. Providing expert commentary for CAF TV on Monday night, the legendary midfielder was particularly captivated by the tactical intelligence displayed during the first-half onslaught in Fes, Morocco. Oliseh, known for his own vision during his playing days, noted that while the goals grab the headlines, the “pre-assist” work from Iwobi was the true catalyst for the Mambas’ downfall.

“All this started from Iwobi,” Oliseh remarked as he analyzed the buildup to the opening goal. “This is what we call the pre-assist pass. That pass tore the defense apart.” The Fulham playmaker, often operating in the shadow of Nigeria’s high-profile strikers, was the primary architect of the Super Eagles’ rhythm, dictating the tempo and threading balls through a congested Mozambique midfield. Oliseh emphasized that Iwobi’s technical quality and weight of pass provided the necessary “dosage” to bypass a defensive line that had previously held firm.

Turning his attention to the finishing end of the pitch, Oliseh was equally impressed by the clinical nature of Ademola Lookman. The Atalanta winger, who was later named Man of the Match, scored a sublime opener and provided three assists in a performance that has seen him become the tournament’s leading goal contributor. “What a finish from Lookman,” Oliseh exclaimed, while quickly pivoting back to the importance of the vision shown by the supporting cast. “The goal is what we talk about, but it is the pass that comes before the assist. We must give kudos to what Iwobi is doing.”

The victory marked a historic night for the Super Eagles, who became the first team to win four consecutive matches in a single AFCON tournament while scoring a total of 12 goals. For Oliseh, the combination of Iwobi’s “cerebral” play and Lookman’s “darting thrusts” represents a shift toward a more intelligent, possession-based style under head coach Éric Chelle. The former captain’s analysis echoed the sentiments of many fans who believe Iwobi is finally stepping out of the legendary shadows of his heritage to become the heartbeat of the modern Nigerian side.

With a quarter-final clash against the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo match looming on Saturday, Oliseh’s comments highlight a team that is finding its peak at exactly the right time. As Lookman continues to lead the race for the Golden Ball and Iwobi earns plaudits for his “football IQ,” Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental crown is gathering unstoppable momentum. For Oliseh, the message is clear: if the Super Eagles keep “tearing” defenses apart with such precision, the trophy may well be returning to Abuja.