By Amaechi Agbo
The Super Eagles of Nigeria Monday produced a superlative performance as they recorded their biggest win in history following a 10-0 demolition of Sao Tome and Principe in matchday 2 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON, qualifiers,
The match which was played in Morocco, saw Victor Osimhen score four goals to increase his international goal haul to 15.
There were so many firsts on the score sheet as Victor Osimhen, Lookman Ademola, Terem Moffi and Dennis Emmanuel all made history.
While Osimhen scored his first haul (four goals) for the Eagles, Terem Moffi scored his first international goal and he made it a double, Leicester City of England attacker, Lookman Ademola who Jose Peseiro preferred in the starting lineup over Samuel Chukwueze scored his first goal as well as Watford’s striker, Dennis Emmanuel was also on target.
In a dominant fashion with the team not ready for flippancy, Victor Osimhen raised the bar in 9 minutes before Mose Simone doubled the lead in 28th minute.
Terem Moffi made it 3-0 as both teams went into the dressing room for first half.
But more goals were to come as Lookman provided a superb assist for Osimhen to score his second of the day on the dot of 48th minute before Oghenekaro Etebo made it 5-0 7 minutes later
On the dot of 60 minutes, Terem Moffi scored his second goal while Lookman scored his first international goal for Nigeria on 63rd minute to make it 7-0 for the Eagles.
Decimated Sao Tome players refused to give up as they made spirited efforts to reduce the deficit but they were rather punished the more .
Victor Osimhen, hungry and undone, scored his 3rd and 4th goals in the 65th and 84th minutes to hand Nigeria a 9-0 lead
Osimhen had a hand in 6 goals as he scored 4 and assisted 2 as Dennis Emmanuel also scored his first goal in the 94th minute via spot kick to hand the Eagles 10-0 victory.
It is also the first time the team is keeping a clean sheet since their 2-0 win against Guinea Bissau in 2021 AFCON earlier in the year
It is the first time Nigeria is scoring 10+ goals in an International match following their 10–1 win against Dahomey (now Benin Republic) in Lagos on 28 November, 1959.
The victory hands the Jose Peseiro-led lads Group A leadership pending the outcome of Sierra Leone vs Guinea Bissau match.
The Super Eagles will take on Guinea Bissau in a double header in September.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON will hold in Cote D’Ivoire next year.
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