The Decimation of Sao Tome and Principe

The Decimation of Sao Tome and Principe at the hands of the Nigerian Super Eagles feels more like an invasion story taken out of ancient Roman history than a football game played between two African countries.

Simply put, it didn’t feel like a football game but a cruel invasion.

Sao Tome in good spirit had invited Nigeria for the second group match in their AFCON qualifiers stage only to fall victim of a 10-0 rout on neutral ground.

It was as if Nigeria took the frustrations of early AFCON exit and failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup at the hands of Ghana, personally on poor Sao Tome.

It was telling, as the helpless nation stood still in defeat as they wondered what hit them and if by any means they had done anything wrong to invite the Eagles on neutral ground

It was very much an embarrassment. A 3-0 defit at half time only to see in another 7 goal thrill see the back of their net from every angle and from every touch.

Renowned striker, Victor Osimhen saw the back of the net 4 times on the day.

New comer, Terem Moffi saw a brace, and Nigeria forward players, Emmanuel Dennis, Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses each saw a goal.

Then there’s the free kick from Oghenekaro Etebo that should be spoken about.

It was one of those goals that free kick takers like Southampton’s James Ward Prowse or even Lionel Messi would be proud of.

Goals like that on that signified what that game was: a decimation.

The Super Eagles showed no mercy. They kept playing on, they pressed and took each of their chances no matter what the score line was.

If not that the Referee was merciful to keep the game at 90 + 5 minutes, we very much could have been talking about a bloodshed now.

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, this wasn’t a football match but the decimation of Sao Tome.