The Super Eagles 10 – 0 demolition of minnows Sao Tome is a new Nigerian record – Nigeria’s biggest win in both competitive and non-competitive football games. This comes as a surprise to many who haven’t seen the Super Eagles score lots of goals in a match, especially in recent times where results have not been encouraging. Despite recent poor results, Super Eagles have won with some remarkable high score lines in the past. Let’s take a look at the highest wins recorded by the Nigerian male football team.
NIGERIA 10 vs. 0 SAO TOME – 2022
The match played at the Stade Adrar, Morocco saw hot striker Victor Osimhen score four goals increasing his international goals to 15 goals, making him Nigeria’s 8 highest goal scorer, surpassing greats such as Julius Aghahowa, Austin Okocha, etc.
Other goal scorers are Moffi (43’, 60’), Moses Simon (28’), Etebo (55’), Lookman (63’) and Dennis (92’).
It’s Nigeria’s back to back win from two games, in the ongoing AFCON 23 qualifiers, as the Super Eagles currently sit on top of their Group.
NIGERIA 10 vs. 1 BENIN REPUBLIC – 1959
Nigeria’s biggest win in football The Red Devils as they were called then, recorded a 10-1 destruction of Benin Republic (known then as Dahomey) in the Kwame Nkrumah Cup in 1959 in Lagos.
The two teams had met in the first leg in Cotonou, where Nigeria won 1-0. It was in the second leg played on November 28 1959, at the King George V Stadium Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria, where the Red Devils thrashed Benin Republic 10-1.
Elkanah Onyeali scored four goals, Abudu Buraimoh and Onyeanwuna both scored two goals, while Daniel Okwudili, Dejo Fayemi both scored a goal apiece.
NIGERIA 7 vs. 1 BURKINA FASO – 1991
Before this new record against Sao Tome, this match was the biggest win for the Super Eagles in the history of competitive football. Nigeria played Burkina Faso in the AFCON Group stage in 1991at the then National stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Before the game, Nigeria was on a winning streak against Burkina Faso as they had played the opponents 5 times and won all.
It was the late Rashidi Yekini who was the main star of the game as he scored double brace (4 goals). The remaining three goals for Nigeria were scored by Samson Siasia, Finidi George, and Friday Elahor respectively. Earlier in the group stage, Nigeria had drawn 1 – 1 with Burkina Faso with goals from Ekpo and Outtara. The one goal in this match by Mbemba Toure was the first in all 5 games.
NIGERIA 6 VS 0 ETHIOPIA – 1993
This was Nigeria’s third biggest win and it came against Ethiopia in 1993, with the Super Eagles scoring 6 unreplied goals against their opponents in the 1993 AFCON qualifiers. The match was played at the National stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Unsurprisingly, Dangerman Rashidi Yekini was at the core of the victory as the prolific striker found the net, although 3 times this time; these goals came in the 33rd, 44th, and 64th minute. Inenga opened the scoring in the 29th minute, while the fourth goal came from Nduka Ugbade in the 50th minute. These are in between Rashidi Yekini’s hat trick. Veteran goalkeeper, Peter Rufus, completed the mauling of Ethiopia in the 90th minute via a penalty.
NIGERIA 6 vs. 1 LIBERIA – 2012
This AFCON qualification match against Liberia was a must win to guarantee qualification, especially after both teams had played a 2-2 draw in the first game in Monrovia.
The Super Eagles responded in an overwhelming fashion as they thumped their opponents 6-1 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
The game saw first half goals from Efe Ambrose and Ahmed Musa, before Victor Moses (2 goals), John Obi Mikel, and Ikechukwu Uche finished the business for Nigeria. Patty Wleh got a consolation goal for Liberia but it was little too late, after Nigeria’s 5th goal.
NIGERIA 6 vs. 1 TAHITI – 2013
After emerging the champions of Africa at the just concluded AFCON in 2013, Nigeria automatically qualified for the Confederations Cup in Brazil. In the first game of their group, the Super Eagles faced Tahiti, ranked 138th in the world and competing in their first major tournament. Experience counted as the Super Eagles defeated the minnows 6-1 to start the campaign on a good note.
It was a match that saw former AC Milan attacker, Nnamdi Oduamadi score a hat trick. Two own goals from Tahiti and a sixth goal from left back Echiejile completed the rout.
NIGERIA 5 vs. 1 ZIMBABWE
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification between Nigeria and Zimbabwe saw Nigeria come out victorious in a devastating manner.
Zimbabwe’s defense was run over by Nigeria’s staunch attacking force consisting of Peter Odemwingie, Stephen Makinwa, and Obafemi Martins. Likewise, there was little their attack could do against the likes of Obinna Nwaneri, Joseph Yobo, Ayila Yussuf, Taye Taiwo, and Chidi Odiah.
Obafemi Martins scored two goals while the rest of the goals were shared among Ayila Yusuf, Kanu Nwankwo, and Peter Odemwingie, while Zimbabwe’s only goal came through Benjadi.