The Super Eagles 10-0 mauling of Sao Tome and Principe in a 2023 AFCON qualifier in Morocco on Monday entered the record books as the country’s biggest win since its first official match in 1949.
In terms of goals scored, it was record-equaling – the national team had also scored 10 goals, though conceded one in an a game against neigbours Dahomey (now Benin Republic) in 1959.
Remember the 5-3-10 Eagles under Yugoslav coach Father Tiko in the 1970s? Tiko’s side, reputed for their attacking prowess, also scored loads of goals, including 10 against a Canadian club while preparing for the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, which Nigeria eventually withdrew from.
But a member of that side Segun Odegbami said the goals didn’t count.
“The goals we scored were not against a national, they were against a club side, so it didn’t count,” Odegbami said.
In this report, TANA AIYEJINA takes a look at some of Nigeria’s biggest wins at international level…
Nigeria 10-1 Dahomey (now Benin Republic)
Nigeria’s highest win ever before Monday’s rout of Sao Tome and Principe was recorded on November 28, 1959, when the national team mauled Dahomey (now Benin Republic) 10-1 in an Nkrumah Cup clash in Lagos.
Nigeria 7-0 Benin
The Green Eagles also had the Squirrels for dinner, winning 7-0 in two friendlies, first on February 14, 1977 in Lagos, then on January 14, 1978 in Porto Novo.
Nigeria 7-1 Burkina Faso
In 1991, Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 7-1 in the AFCON qualifying group stage inside the National Stadium, Lagos.
Rashidi Yekini was the star of the day, scoring four goals. Nigeria’s remaining three goals were scored by Samson Siasia, debutant Finidi George and Friday Elahor, in that order. Mbemba Toure scored the consolation goal for the Burkinabe.
Nigeria 6-0 Ethiopia
In the 1994 AFCON qualifiers, the Eagles thrashed Ethiopia 6-0 with the country’s all-time highest scorer Rashidi Yekini hitting a hat-trick in the 33rd, 44th and 64th minutes, after Barnabas Imenger opened scoring in the 29th minute. Left-back Nduka Ugbade was also on target in the 50th minute.
Notably, goalie Peter Rufai got involved in the action, scoring the Eagles’ last goal in the 90th minute from the spot.
Nigeria 6-1 Liberia
This win came in 2012 in an AFCON qualification match versus Liberia, which the Eagles would go on to win the following year and qualify for the Confederations Cup.
The Eagles were held 2-2 by the Liberians in the first leg, meaning they had to win this one to advance.
Victor Moses scored twice, with Mikel Obi, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa and Ikechukwu Uche adding a goal each. Liberia’s consolation goal came after Nigeria’s fifth goal, and it was scored by Patty Wleh.
Nigeria 6-1 Tahiti
Nigeria defeated Tahiti in the Confederations Cup in 2013, scoring six goals and conceding only one.
It was Nigeria’s first match in the competition’s group stage, meaning the Eagles temporarily topped the group. Two Tahiti players – Tehau and Vallar – helped Nigeria with own goals. Forward Nnamdi Oduamadi scored a hat-trick, with left-back Elderson Echiejile scoring the other goal.
Tahiti went on to lose 10-0 and 8-0 to Spain and Uruguay respectively, meaning their only goal of the tournament came against Nigeria.
Nigeria 5-0 Benin
Nigeria’s dominance over Benin is not in doubt, with the former winning 13 of their 16 meetings and losing just once. But the Eagles penchant for high goals margin against their next door neigbours knows no bound, as they once again hammered the Squirrels 5-0 in another friendly in Lagos November 4, 1979.
Nigeria 5-1 Zimbabwe
Another huge triumph came in a 2006 World Cup qualifier, this time against Zimbabwe in 2005.
Nigeria’s tenacious offensive force of Osaze Odemwingie, Stephen Makinwa and Obafemi Martins ran riot over Zimbabwe’s defence. There was nothing the opposition could offer, faced with the likes of Obinna Nwaneri, Joseph Yobo, Ayila Yussuf, Taye Taiwo and Chidi Odiah in the Eagle’s defence.
Martins scored two of Nigeria’s goals, with Osaze, Yussuf and substitute Nwankwo Kanu adding the rest.
