AFCON 2023: Super Eagles thrash São Tomé and Príncipe 10-0, as Osimhen scores four

Following heavy criticisms which trailed their opening African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Abuja, last Thursday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have responded in the second game of the group stage of the campaign by hammering Sao Tome and Principe by 10 unreplied goals.

The match played in far away Morocco, at the Adrar Stadium, Monday evening, which now serves as hosting ground for the tiny West African nation of Sao Tome, the Super Eagles recorded the biggest win in their history by putting 10 goals past their hosts, as Nigeria’s leading scorer, Victor Osimhen, scored four goals in the match.

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.

Super Eagles’ head coach Jose Peseiro started with Lorient FC of France-based forward, Terem Moffi and Osimhen in attack, while Calvin Bassey was paired with Semi Ajayi in central defence, a selection which created room for highly-rated right back, Zaidu Sanusi.

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 Napoli FC of Italy striker 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 captained by Moses Simon, extended their lead two minutes into the second half as Osimhen scored his second of the match with a header from a cross by Ademola Lookman to make it 4-0.

In the 55th minute, Oghenekaro 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 Zaidu 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.

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 Super Eagles have responded to a lacklustre 2-1 victor over Sierra Leone and top the group, as the qualifiers entre the second round, next month.

Osimhen and Alex Iwobi scored for Nigeria in that encounter.