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Osimhen bags hat-trick as Nigeria demolish Sao Tome

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Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick, along with goals from Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Samuel Chukwueze, propelled Nigeria to a 6-0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe in the final game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.

Jose Peseiro’s team had already secured their place at the AFCON in Ivory Coast next year with 12 points after defeating Sierra Leone 3-2 in June. However, the three-time African champions did not take the match lightly and secured a comfortable win over the Selecao.

The Super Eagles had previously beaten São Tomé and Príncipe 10-0 in the reverse fixture last year, and they came close to repeating the feat in Uyo.

Nigeria displayed clinical finishing, converting six of the chances they created. Jordan Torunarigha and Gift Orban had their Eagles debuts postponed, while Francis Uzoho returned as goalkeeper. Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Onyemaechi Bruno formed the defense.

Peseiro selected Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Lookman on the wings. Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi led the attack.

Nigeria wasted no time making their mark as Napoli’s Osimhen opened the scoring just 13 minutes into the game, and Lookman from Atalanta doubled the tally 27 minutes into the match.

After establishing a two-goal lead, Nigeria remained in control of the game, with Uzoho scarcely tested throughout. The first half ended when Algerian official Lahlou Benbrahamas blew the whistle.

Six minutes into the second half, Nottingham Forest’s Awoniyi scored Nigeria’s third goal, putting the Eagles completely out of reach for the visitors.

Two quick goals from Osimhen extended Nigeria’s lead to 5-0 before Chukwueze’s 84th-minute strike, assisted by Victor Boniface, completed the rout.

Osimhen’s hat-trick against São Tomé and Príncipe elevates him to the position of Nigeria’s fourth all-time top scorer with 20 goals. Prior to this match, he was tied for sixth place with Sunday Oyarekhua and Samson Siasia at 17 goals. Obafemi Martins (18) and Ikechukwu Uche (19) held the fifth and fourth spots, respectively.

Osimhen is now aiming to break the Super Eagles’ all-time highest goal scorer record, held by the late Rashidi Yekini since the 90s. Yekini scored 37 goals in 67 games for Nigeria before retiring in 1998. Osimhen is just 20 goals away from equaling this national record but must surpass Segun Odegbami, who scored 23 goals, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who recorded 21 goals for the national team, before he can challenge the legendary Yekini’s record.

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