2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying continued on with its final matchday on Sunday with two matches to begin the action. Nigeria easily dismissed minnows São Tomé and Príncipe at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo with a 6-0 victory to confirm their status as Group A winners. Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick to go along with goals from Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi and a late strike from Samuel Chukwueze.
The Super Eagles finish with five victories and one defeat from six matches and will join Guinea-Bissau as the nations to qualify out of Group A. Guinea-Bissau will conclude their qualifying matches with a home fixture against Sierra Leone on Monday.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Togo came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in Lomé. Kevin Pina and Benfica B forward Benchimol put the visitors ahead after only twenty minutes but Les Éperviers provided an excellent response. Steve Denkey scored from the penalty spot before halftime and then equalized in the 77th minute before Abdou Ouattara won it late on for the hosts. Despite the victory, Togo were already eliminated from contention to qualify and Cape Verde finish second in Group B behind Burkina Faso.
Highlights of Nigeria’s victory are below.
Scores
Group A
Nigeria 6-0 São Tomé and Príncipe
Group B
Togo 3-2 Cape Verde
Highlights
Nigeria 6-0 São Tomé and Príncipe
Togo 3-2 Cape Verde
