On June 13, 2022 in Agadir, Morocco, the Super Eagles set a new record for their highest win at full international after a 10-0 mauling of Sao Tome and Principe in Morocco.
Their previous record was 10-1 drubbing of former Dahomey (now Benin Republic, which they achieved in 1959 with Elkana Onyeali grabbing four goals.
On Sunday, the three-time African champions will have another chance to improve on their biggest win when they host the islanders from Sao Tome at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Eagles may already have booked their passage to the 2023 AFCON to be staged by Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024, but the leadership of Group A is still up for grabs.
They are top of the standings with 12 points from five matches, while second-placed Guinea Bissau are two points behind and host Sierra Leone in their final group game.
Nigeria therefore need at least a draw to win this group as an unlikely loss in Uyo to whipping boys Sao Tome and a home win by Guinea Bissau will see the West Africans topple them at the top of the table.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will also hope to improve on his seven goals in the qualifiers so as to finish as the top scorer leading to the tournament proper early next year.
Four of his seven goals in the qualifiers were against the same team last year.
More Osimhen goals tomorrow will further enhance his chances of being crowned best African player of 2023 after his heroics with his Italian club.
Osimhen is the poster-boy of Nigeria football thanks in part to his exploits in Europe and also his undeniable commitment to the Super Eagles.
Coach Jose Peseiro will also have available for selection three other strikers who have been painting Europe with goals – Victor Boniface, Gift Orban and Taiwo Awoniyi.
The Eagles failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup has battered public confidence in the national team and there will no better setting than in Uyo for the team to get the fans back in their corner.
So, will a 15-0 bashing of Sao Tome tomorrow be beyond this star-studded team?
In November, they will welcome Lesotho to the same venue to begin their journey to the 2026 World Cup.
The Super Eagles need another massive win against Sao Tome to send a warning that they have found their wings again to fly highest at both the 2023 AFCON as well as the 2026 World Cup qualifying series.
