The Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded its biggest win in its history during their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after beating São Tomé and Príncipe 10-0, with Victor Osimhen scoring four goals at the Adrar Stadium in Morocco.
The 10-0 thrashing of São Tomé and Príncipe became Nigeria’s biggest win since the nation beat neighbours Benin Republic 10-1 in 1959. Osimhen scored four times in the game, matching Rashidi Yekini’s feat against Burkina Faso in a 7-1 win in 1991.
Nigeria’s head coach Jose Peseiro started with Terem Moffi and Osimhen in attack, while Calvin Bassey was paired with Semi Ajayi in central defence.
Osimhen opened the scoring with a powerful header after good work down the left flank by starting captain Moses Simon to make the scores 1-0. Moffi then tried his luck from distance in the 19th minute, but his effort was straight at goalkeeper Anastacio Braganca.
The Nigerians doubled the lead when Osimhen’s pass found winger Simon, who made no mistake as he put the ball into the net. Then just before halftime, Moffi did well to beat his marker and fired the ball into the net in the 43rd minute. It was his first goal for Nigeria in his fourth appearance as the referee blew for halftime.
The Super Eagles weren’t stopping there and extended its lead two minutes into the second half as Osimhen scored his second of the match with a header from a cross by Lookman to make it 4-0.
In the 55th minute, Etebo scored straight from a free-kick from the edge of the box to make it 5-0. It was the midfielder’s first goal for the Eagles since March 2021. Moffi then added his second in the 60th minute after great work down the left by Sanusi.
Lookman joined the party by scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles in the 70th minute, pouncing on a rebound after Braganca made a save from Moffi to make it 7-0.
The prolific Osimhen then added his third and fourth goals in the 65th and 84th minute respectively, as the Super Eagles were running riot against São Tomé and Príncipe. By the 84th minute the scoreline was 9-0.
Nigeria continued to create more chances as they were determined to blow their challengers away. Osimhen struck the goal framework in 87th minute and headed off target in the 88th as attack after attack continued.
Substitute Emmanuel Dennis won a penalty in the first minute of added time and stepped up to take the spot kick. The Watford striker had the chance to score his first goal for his country and fired the ball past the goalkeeper to make the scores 10-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.
The 10-0 scoreline gave the Super Eagles their biggest ever win in their history and head coach Jose Peseiro will be thrilled with the result.
FT: São Tomé & Principe 0-10 Nigeria
Osimhen 9’, 48’, 65’, 84’
Moffi 43’, 60’
Simon 28’
Etebo 55’
Lookman 63’
Dennis 90+ 2#STPNGA— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 13, 2022
