Nigeria vs Sao Tome and Principe: 5 players who inspired Super Eagles vs the Falcons in the first leg

Nigeria Super Eagles are back in the country ahead of the final round of matches in the Total Energies AFCONQ 2023.

The Super Eagles will this weekend host their counterparts from Sao Tome and Principe in a dead rubber in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Sao Tome and Principe’s Falcons and True Parrots will arrive in the country with revenge on their minds after what happened in the first leg.

The Super Eagles delivered a record-breaking 10-0 win en route to picking one of two tickets for the main event in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.

Ahead of that second and final leg this Sunday, Pulse Sports Nigeria has revisited that game in Agadir to highlight some of the standout performers.

Here are five players who inspired the Super Eagles on that historic evening in the Moroccan city.

While the invitation of the skipper was another key talking point heading to that clash, Ahmed Musa did his talking on the pitch.

Musa was one of five substitutes who came on that historic day and he made an impact alongside Emmanuel Dennis.

The 30-year-old, in 32 minutes, created seven chances and made five key passes en route to setting up two goals for two assists.

He completed 20 of 23 passes and four of his chances created were big chances.

Another player who gave Sao Tome and Principe nightmares was Atalanta BC forward Ademola.

Lookman started the game and lasted 71 minutes before he was retired to the bench by Jose Peseiro.

However, before he departed, the 25-year-old scored one and assisted another goal while he also created four chances and made three key passes.

The tormentor-in-chief, the slayer of the Falcons and True Parrots, Victor Osimhen.

If there is one man who might be man-marked in Uyo, it is the SSC Napoli hero after what he did to Sao Tome and Principe.

Nigeria Super Eagles scored 10 goals and Osimhen was involved in a whopping six of them.

The 24-year-old scored four goals and assisted two more in 90 minutes while also making three key passes.

On the pitch for 71 minutes, the France-based striker ensured the Falcons will never forget the role he played on the day.

Moffi helped himself to two goals on the day but while he made three key passes, his teammates did not take the chances to let him get at least an assist.

He was subbed off in the 71st minute with Umar Sadiq taking over his spot.

The former Stoke City man was the schemer in midfield alongside Alex Iwobi for Nigeria and the Super Eagles.

He was the man who controlled things for Nigeria on the ball as he kept things simple and flowing for the Eagles.

Etebo completed an incredible 96 per cent of his passes, created one chance, made a key pass from 97 touches and completed 100 per cent of his passes.

The 27-year-old, who also made three interceptions, sealed an excellent performance with arguably the goal of the day when he made it 5-0 with a delicious free-kick goal.

Only Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from this list made it to the 23-man squad released by coach Peseiro to face Sao Tome and Principe in the second leg this weekend.