Nigeria 6-0 Sao Tome: Osimhen treble helps Super Eagles end Afcon qualifier in style

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior national team thrashed Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in the final Group A match of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Sunday.

Jose Pessiro started Francis Uzoho in goal with Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen.

As expected, the Super Eagles dominated the game and produced two goals in the opening 28 minutes, with the first coming from a set piece in the 14th minute as Lookman’s corner kick was headed in by Osimhen.

Three minutes before the half-hour mark, the three-time African Champions doubled the lead.

A pass from Ndidi located Lookman who wrong-footed some defenders at the edge of the box before hitting the ball into the back of the net.

Osimhen also put the ball into the back of the net in the first half but was ruled out for offside. Six minutes into the second half, Awoniyi made it 3-0.

After Osimhen was fouled by Sao Tome goalkeeper inside the box, the Napoli man picked himself up and wrong-footed the goalie from the resulting penalty to increase Nigeria’s lead to four in the 70th minute.

10 minutes later, the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee received a pass from substitute, Samuel Chukwueze to complete his hat-trick.

Chukwueze got on the scorer sheet four minutes from regulation time to complete the rout. Peseiro’s side ended the campaign top of Group B with 15 points after booking a spot at next year’s AFCON in Ivory Coast.

Osimhen’s hat trick took his tally for the Qualifiers to ten goals as the top goalscorer.