The Super Eagles thrashed the Falcons of Sao Tome & Principe 6-0 to draw the curtains on their 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria’s superstar striker Victor Osimhen led the onslaught against the visitors on Sunday night, netting a hat-trick to help Nigeria in a complete rout of Sao Tome.
The Napoli hitman opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game with a glancing header after a brilliant delivery from Ademola Lookman’s corner-kick.
The Eagles then got their second deservedly on 27 minutes after some moment of continuous pressure. It all started with Kelechi Iheanacho winning the ball in his own half, carrying it up pitch some 50 yards, before laying it up to his Leicester City teammate Wilfred Ndidi. The midfielder then found Lookman, who cut in before drilling in a quite tidy finish.
The Eagles picked up from where they stopped in the first half after the break with Taiwo Awoniyi getting his own goal in the 51st minute with a beautiful half-volley.
In the 69th minute, Osimhen got Nigeria’s fourth of the night from the spot after he was brought down in the box by the Sao Tome ‘Keeper.
The striker completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later with a routine finish after a brilliant through pass from substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
Finally, Chukwueze added the icing on the cake in the 84th minute with fellow substitute and debutant Victor Boniface unselfishly laying up a good pass for him.
With the big win, the Super Eagles are certain of finishing top of the AFCON qualifier’s group with 15 points even with Guinea-Bissau who are second (with 10 points) having a game in hand.
Jose Peseiro’s team are one of the favourites to clinch the trophy at the 2023 African Cup of Nations billed for Cote D’Ivoire in January next year.
