'Haaland s a tap in merchant' - Nigerian rate Osimhen ahead of UEFA Best Player after Super Eagles destroy Sao Tome and Principe.
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 to top their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers group.
Because Governor Umo Eno offered free tickets, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was packed with fans for the Super Eagles match.
07:00 - 11.09.2023
Super Eagles 6-0 Sao Tome: Osimhen reacts to hattrick, celebrates strike partnership with Awoniyi
Victor Osimhen reacts to hattrick, celebrates strike partnership with Awoniyi after Super Eagles thrash Sao Tome in AFCON qualifier.
The previous time these two teams faced off, in Agadir, Morocco, the Super Eagles defeated Sao Tome and Principe 10-0.
Jose Peseiro, whose contract with the Super Eagles was just extended, fielded four attackers with the hopes of repeating a high-scoring performance.
19:30 - 10.09.2023
Super Eagles 6-0 Sao Tome: Nigerians accuse Osimhen of stat padding in AFCON Qualifier
After the Super Eagles' 6-0 win against Sao Tome, Some Nigerians believe Osimhen stat padded against Sao Tome to win AFCON Q top scorer and move closer to breaking Yekini's record.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen scored a hattrick as the Super Eagles cruised to a comfortable win.
Osimhen and Haaland comparison
In what has become a hot topic among football enthusiasts worldwide the debate of who is the best striker in the world surfaced.
Osimhen and Norway's Erling Haaland are regarded as two of the best strikers in World football.
Osimhen was the most important player as Napoli won their first Serie A title in over 30 years.
In the Italian league last season, Osimhen won the Capocannoniere as his 26 goals in Serie A led all scorers.
Haaland also was impressive for Manchester City as they won the treble last season.
In his first season in England, Haaland scored 52 goals across all competitions.
He set a Premier League goalscoring record and was the top scorer in the Champions League.
To start the new season, Haaland has been named PFA Player of the Year and also received the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award.
Nigerians rate Osimhen above Haaland
Following the Super Eagles victory, Osimhen rose to the top of the trends for his performance.
Osimhen finished the AFCON qualifiers as top scorer and has already started on fire with Napoli this season.
Nigerian football fans now argue that Osimhen is better than Haaland based on their ability and football technique.
Haaland and Osimhen are both in the race to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.
Nigerian football fans however believe it is time Osimhen is rated ahead of Haaland based on his variety of goals.
Reactions to Osimhen being better than Haaland
Osimhen reacts to hattrick
Osimhen took to his official social media platforms to celebrate his three goals.
He posted pictures from the game and three balls signalling his hattrick
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) charged Osimhen ahead of the final game and he responded with a hattrick.
The three goals for Osimhen means that he finished the AFCON qualifiers as the top scorer with 10 goals in six games.
Osimhen chasing Yekini?
Osimhen is widely favored to surpass the late great Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria's all-time leading scorer.
Osimhen who is 24, is presently 17 goals behind Yekini for the all-time Super Eagles top scorer honor.
After scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 hammering of Sao Tome and Principe and now has 20 goals in 27 outings for Nigeria.
Osimhen accused of stat padding against Sao Tome
Following the victory, Napoli striker Osimhen rose to the top of the trends on social media accused of stat padding.
There were mixed reactions to his performance on social media.
There are fans who believe that with qualification already secured, Super Eagles head coach Peseiro could have tested out some new names in the national team instead of playing Osimhen for 90 minutes against Sao Tome.
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Super Eagles 6-0 Sao Tome: Nigerians accuse Osimhen of stat padding in AFCON Qualifier
After the Super Eagles' 6-0 win against Sao Tome, Some Nigerians believe Osimhen stat padded against Sao Tome to win AFCON Q top scorer and move closer to breaking Yekini's record.