Nigeria had already secured qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast but still went all out to secure a resounding victory over Sao Tome and Principe.
The Super Eagles proved too strong for Sao Tome and Principe side on Sunday evening as they thumped them 6-0 in their final game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Goals from Victor Osimhen (3), Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze sealed a 6-0 win for Peseiro’s men.
With the overwhelming victory, Super Eagles have sent a statement ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, GOAL reports.
In evidently wet conditions at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, Napoli star Victor Osimhen began the slaughter in the 13th minute when he scored from an Ademola Lookman assist. Lookman then went on to get on to the score sheet himself some 14 minutes later as Wilfred Ndidi came through with the assist.
Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, made sure that the Super Eagles continued where they left off in the second half as he found the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
Osimhen grabbed his brace through a penalty in the 70th minute before completing his hat-trick 10 minutes later. He has now scored seven goals against Sao Tome in two group games.
Samuel Chukwueze’s 84th minute-goal sealed Nigeria’s emphatic win on the day.
That match was Nigeria’s first game since 2019 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo since 2019 when the Eagles defeated Benin Republic 2-1.
The three-time AFCON winners are guaranteed a finish at the summit of Group A as they wrapped up their qualification campaign with 15 points. Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are set to meet on Monday as Bissau have already qualified with 10 points while their opponents sit on five.
Nigeria will next focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they look to make amends after missing out on the last edition in Qatar 2022.
In another AFCON qualifier game, Togo beat Cape Verde 3-2 in Group B action as the Islanders have qualified alongside Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, SportsRation reports that Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro has sent words of appreciation to Akwa Ibom people for the incredible support to inspire a big win over Sao Tome and Principe.
The 30,000 capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo was filled with cheering supporters as the Super Eagles saw out their 2023 AFCON qualification journey with a 6-0 spanking of Sao Tome and Principe.
In his post-match interview, the Jose Peseiro praised the fans in Akwa Ibom for the charged atmosphere plus the smooth playing surface in Uyo.
Peseiro said, “I will like to thank the people of Akwa Ibom State for the honour bestowed on us.
“The atmosphere inside the stadium was good and the fans were fantastic too. I want to say thank you to them. The pitch here is fantastic and the hotel too.”
On the commitment and desire to win big, Peseiro revealed the push he applied to get the job done.
” My players showed commitment, I pushed them to do well. Normally when you play against a team that is not strong, everybody relaxes,” the Portuguese born gaffer said.
“In this game, they didn’t relax, they put up a spectacle from the first minute to the last they were fighting. They played a good game, we won 6-0 which was good,” he added.
