The Super Eagles’ 10-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe in a 2023 AFCON qualifier in Morocco on Monday has gone down in history as the country’s best win since 1949.
It was a record-equaling performance in terms of goals scored — the national team had previously scored 10 goals, though conceding one in a game against Dahomey (now Benin Republic) in 1959.
In the 1970s, do you recall the 5-3-10 Eagles led by Yugoslav coach Father Tiko? Tiko’s team, known for their attacking skill, scored a slew of goals, including ten against a Canadian club in preparation for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, from which Nigeria finally withdrew.
However, a member of that team, Segun Odegbami, claimed that the goals were irrelevant.
“The goals we scored were not against a national, they were against a club side, so it didn’t count,” Odegbami said.
1. Nigeria 7-0 Benin
The Green Eagles also had the Squirrels for supper, defeating them 7-0 in two friendly, the first in Lagos on February 14, 1977, and the second in Porto Novo on January 14, 1978.
2. Nigeria 7-1 Burkina Faso
In the 1991 AFCON qualification group stage, Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 7-1 at the National Stadium in Lagos.
Rashidi Yekini, who scored four goals on the day, was the star of the show. Samson Siasia, debutant Finidi George, and Friday Elahor scored Nigeria’s final three goals in that sequence. The Burkinabe’s consolation goal was scored by Mbemba Toure.
3. Nigeria 6-0 Ethiopia
The Eagles hammered Ethiopia 6-0 in the 1994 AFCON qualifiers, with Rashidi Yekini scoring a hat-trick in the 33rd, 44th, and 64th minutes after Barnabas Imenger opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Nduka Ugbade, a left-back, also scored in the 50th minute.
Goalkeeper Peter Rufai was particularly involved in the action, scoring the Eagles’ final goal from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.
4. Nigeria 6-1 Liberia
This victory came against Liberia in an AFCON qualification match in 2012, which the Eagles would win the following year to qualify for the Confederations Cup.
After being held 2-2 by the Liberians in the first leg, the Eagles needed to win this one to advance.
Victor Moses scored two goals, and Mikel Obi, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, and Ikechukwu Uche each added one. Patty Wleh scored Liberia’s consolation goal, which came after Nigeria’s sixth goal.
After being held 2-2 by the Liberians in the first leg, the Eagles needed to win this one to advance.
5. Nigeria 6-1 Tahiti
In the 2013 Confederations Cup, Nigeria trounced Tahiti, scoring six goals and conceding only one.
Nigeria’s first encounter in the competition’s group stage gave the Eagles a temporary lead over their opponents. Tehau and Vallar, two Tahiti players, assisted Nigeria with own goals. Nnamdi Oduamadi, a forward, scored a hat-trick, with Elderson Echiejile, a left-back, getting the other goal.
Tahiti went on to lose 10-0 and 8-0 to Spain and Uruguay, respectively, with Nigeria scoring their lone goal of the tournament.
6. Nigeria 5-0 Benin
Nigeria’s dominance against Benin is undeniable, with the former winning 13 of their 16 encounters and just losing once. However, the Eagles’ fondness for big goals margins against their neighbors knows no bounds, as they thrashed the Squirrels 5-0 in another friendly on November 4, 1979, in Lagos.
7. Nigeria 5-1 Zimbabwe
Another major victory followed in a 2006 World Cup qualifier, this time against Zimbabwe.
Osaze Odemwingie, Stephen Makinwa, and Obafemi Martins, Nigeria’s relentless offensive force, ran riot over Zimbabwe’s defense. When facing Obinna Nwaneri, Joseph Yobo, Ayila Yussuf, Taye Taiwo, and Chidi Odiah on the Eagles’ defense, the opposition had little to offer.
Martins scored two goals for Nigeria, with the remainder coming from Osaze, Yussuf, and replacement Nwankwo Kanu.
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Source: Nyscinfo