It was an afternoon of utter domination — a match that will be etched forever in the annals of Nigerian football. On 14 June 2022, the Super Eagles delivered the biggest win in Nigeria national team history, routing São Tomé and Príncipe 10-0 in an emphatic show of attacking power. In this article, KorKick will walk you through how that feat unfolded, its place in Nigeria’s history of heavy victories, key players, tactical factors, and why this match matters beyond the record books.
Nigeria’s Creed of Dominance: Record Wins Before 2022
To fully appreciate the magnitude of that 10-0 victory, we need context. Nigeria has scored in double figures only once before — a 10-1 win over Dahomey (now Benin Republic) in 1959 — but with one concession, so the winning margin was “only” nine goals. The 2022 result stands alone as the only time the Su. (Earlier heavy defeats and wins exist, but none match this margin.)
Some other notable blowouts in Nigeria history include:
- 7-1 vs Burkina Faso, 27 July 1991
- 6-0 vs Ethiopia, 1993 AFCON qualifier
- 6-1 vs Liberia, 2012 AFCON qualifier
Yet none came close to matching a ten-goal margin. That makes the 10–0 win the single biggest win in Nigeria national team history in both absolute goals scored and margin.
The 10–0 Feast: How It Happened
Match setting and stakes
The match was a qualifier for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Agadir, Morocco. Nigeria, already under pressure to assert its dominance in the qualifiers, faced a São Tomé team ranked far lower and struggling for consistency.
Scorers, hat-tricks, and statistical highlights
Nigeria’s goal haul was shared across six players:
- Victor Osimhen – four goals (9′, 28′, 48′, 65′, and 84′)
- Terem Moffi – two goals
- Moses Simon – one goal
- Ademola Lookman – one goal
- Oghenekaro Etebo – one goal (a brilliant direct free kick)
- Emmanuel Dennis – one goal (in injury time)
This match marked Osimhen’s first senior international hat-trick. It also featured six different scorers — likely a record for a single Nigeria match.
Other statistical footprints:
- It’s the widest winning margin in the Super Eagles’ history
- It’s the most goals Nigeria has ever scored in a competitive match
- It surpassed all prior heavy wins — including the 10-1 vs Dahomey — in margin
- São Tomé endured one of their worst defeats ever
Tactical Mastery & Team Dynamics
How did Nigeria turn this into such a massacre rather than a mere thrashing? A few key factors:
- High tempo and attacking width
- The team never settled into a slow cruise. Pacey wingers and overlapping fullbacks ensured São Tomé were stretched continually.
- Effective transitions
- Nigeria punished turnovers ruthlessly. Quick switches after dispossession meant São Tomé rarely had time to reorganize defensively.
- Set-piece and dead-ball execution
- The precision of Etebo’s direct free kick and other moves off corners and free kicks showed Nigeria had studied their opponent’s vulnerabilities.
- Balance of creativity and solidity
- While the attack poured forward, midfielders kept zeroing in on defensive stability. The scoreline never flattered — Nigeria controlled possession, spaces, and tempo.
Jose Peseiro’s tactical setup that day proved ideal: press hard, play direct, and don’t let up.
Comparing To Other Giant Victories Across Africa & The World
To understand how giant this win is, here’s how it stacks up:
- Many African national teams have had big wins — e.g. Egypt’s 8–0, South Africa’s 7–0 — but Nigeria’s 10-0 is rare territory.
- Globally, results like 10–0 or higher are extremely uncommon in modern competitive internationals.
- Even for teams that dominate weaker opponents, reaching double digits is often seen only in mismatched friendlies. Doing it in an AFCON qualifier is exceptional.
In sum, Nigeria’s 10–0 win doesn’t just top their own records — it stands out in the broader African and international context.
Legacy And Aftermath
Impact on player profiles
Osimhen’s four-goal haul elevated him in Su. It also sharpened attention on Nigeria’s attacking options and depth. Terem Moffi’s brace further solidified his role. Other scorers gained confidence and recognition.
Psychological and qualification significance
The win delivered a massive boost in goal difference, momentum, and morale in Nigeria’s road to AFCON. It served notice to other group rivals that Nigeria was not to be taken lightly.
Benchmarks for future generations
That 10–0 result becomes a target for future teams — not just to match, but to approach with humility and consistency. Young Nigerian players now live in the shadow of that day, which raises ambitions.
Notes On Record Verification
While media widely reports 0–10 Nigeria as the biggest win, records prior to the 1960s are sometimes murky. The 10-1 vs Dahomey in 1959 is often cited but does not exceed the margin of hope in 2022. National team statistical retrospectives confirm the 10-0 result as the unmatched record.
Conclusion
The biggest win in Nigeria national team history is the unforgettable 10–0 annihilation of São Tomé and Príncipe on 14 June 2022. It’s more than just a number — it was a statement of intent, a showcase of Nigeria’s football potential, and a performance for the ages.
If you love absorbing records, match breakdowns, and deep football lore, stay with KorKick. Bookmark this article, share with a friend, and dive next into Nigeria’s greatest defeats or player biographies. The journey doesn’t stop here — it’s only beginning.
