The Super Eagles squared off with São Tomé and Príncipe in their last Group A match of the AFCON qualifiers on Sunday evening.
Nigeria thrashed their opponents 10-0 in the reverse fixture last year and were looking to reproduce the scoreline once more through Victor Osimhen who scored a brilliant hat-trick as Nigeria beat Sao Tome and Principe 6-0.
Lookman, Awoniyi and Chukwueze also found the net for the Super Eagles in the emphatic win.
FULL TIME!
Another big win over Sao Tome & Principe draws the curtain on the Super Eagles #AFCON2023Q campaign.#NGASTP | #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/Qkd0PIoVvT
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 10, 2023
Let's look at how the much unfolded!
Osimhen and Lookman on target before the break
The match began in electrifying fashion from the Super Eagles who could have scored as early as the first minute but Ndidi's effort was tipped over the bar.
The Super Eagles continued to dominate the visitors who were pegged back in their own half.
An Ademola Lookman corner was swung in from the right that Victor Osimhen headed into the net in the 14th minute to open the scoring.
The Super Eagles continued to pressure Sao Tome and crafted an opening in the 27th minute from the lively Ndidi who laid a pass in front of the area to Lookman.
The Atalanta forward dribbled into the box, skipping past a couple of challenges before drilling low into the net to make it 2-0.
José Peseiro's side did score another goal a few minutes after getting their second, but was correctly ruled out for offside.
The rest of the half panned out with the Eagles holding the ball right into the break.
Second half hat-trick for Victor Osimhen
The second half took off in like fashion as the first half with the Super Eagles fully in control.
Six minutes into the half, Iheanacho found Awoniyi with a brilliant dinking pass, the Forest striker chested the ball down and then smashed in beautifully to make it 3-0.
In the 64th minute, Victor Boniface made his debut for the Super Eagles as he came on for Taiwo Awoniyi, while Frank Onyeka also made way for Joe Aribo.
Nigeria continued to press Sao Tome and Principe as the half wore on and in the 64th minute Osimhen grabbed his second of the evening from the spot as he fell down from the challenge of the goalkeeper.
As the Eagles were coasting to victory, Peseiro deemed it necessary to give playing time to other players, bringing on Chukwueze and Ebuehi for Iheanacho and Ola Aina in the 72nd minute.
Victor Osimhen who has scored twice found the net again as he finished from Chukwueze's pass to complete his hat-trick in the 79th minute.
A few minutes later, Chukwueze scored to extend Super Eagles lead to bring more misery on Sao Tome and Principe.
There was no other goal as the Eagles saw out the game in dominant fashion, recording a brilliant 6-0 win.
With qualification sealed, Jose Peseiro will be eager to guide the Super Eagles to a memorable tournament in Ivory Coast next January.
Super Eagles vs São Tomé and Príncipe confirmed lineups
Super Eagles
Francis Uzoho; Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho
Substitutes
Adeleye, Ojo, Ebuehi, Torunarigha, Ekong, Collins, Aribo, Onyeka, Chukwueze, Simon, Boniface
São Tomé and Príncipe
Ronaldo Silva; Ricardo Fernandes, Adjakson Ramos, Lucio Oliveira Pires, Rogerio Fernandez, Aldair, Gue, Denilson Silva, Ronaldo Alfonso, Luis Leal, Marcos Barbeiro
Substitutes
Cruz, Varela, Alegre, Neves, Viegas, Selemane, Eba
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
