The super Eagles got their World Cup qualifying campaign off with a rare 2-1 away victory against the Chipolopolo in Zambia.
With both teams under new management after the 2017 AFCON qualification campaign to forget, the players gave it their all to impress the new coaches.
Nigeria’s new Coach Genort Rohr opted for changes from the team that beat Tanzania in last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. He gave Iwobi his first start for the super eagles, Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi all started while Musa Mohammed and Ahmed Musa were left out of the starting 11.
Arsenal whiz kid Alex Iwobi broke the deadlock at the 32nd minute mark when he volleyed a rebounded ball from inside the box past Zambia’s keeper Kennedy Mweene after Wilfred Ndindi headed a long ball in his path.
Iwobi’s goal seemed like what the Nigerians needed to get themselves into the game as they started playing more confidently after taking the lead.
Another Premier League teenage sensation Kelechi Inehacho doubled the lead after some tiki-taka play between him, Mikel Obi and Ideye. Inehacho kept his calm and round the final ball past Zambia’s legendary keeper Mweene to give Rohr’s men a 2-0 comfortable lead after the first half.
Zambia’s New Coach Wedson Ndende half time talk started paying off after the second half kick-off as Zambia started bossing the game and powering forward.
They started the second half strong with Zambia’s Fwayo causing headache for the Nigerian defense. Zambia then cut the lead in the 71st minute after Collins Mbesuma utilized Kenneth Omeru’s defensive mistake to take the score to 2-1.
The Zambian’s were looking for their first ever competitive victory against Nigeria in 31 years while the Nigerians were looking for their first ever victory against the Chipolopolo away from home.
Zambia will be hoping to qualify for their first World Cup tournament despite being in the group of death. They will face Algeria and Cameroon in their next Matches and all points will be vital for their campaign.
Zambia’s president Edgar Lungu was the special guest of honor at the fully filled Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Nigeria’s Team that Faced Zambia.
1 Ikeme Carl Onora, 18 Alexander Chuka Iwobi, 3 Elderson Echiejile, 4 Kenneth Josiah Omeruo, 10 John Obi Mikel,5 William Paul Ekong, 8 Brown Ideye, , 11 Moses Daddy Simon, 15 Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, 17 Ogenyi Eddy Onazi, 21 Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi
Substitutes
2 Mohammed Musa, 6 Uche Henry Agbo, 7 Ahmed Musa, 9 Godwin Obaje, 12 Abdullah Shehu, 13 Chisom Charles Egbuchunam, 15 Kingsley Madu, 16 Ikechukwu Vincent Ezenwa, 19 Anderson Esiti, 20 Jamiu Alimi Nosakhare, Emmanuel Igiebor, 23 Emmanuel Shinkut Daniel
Featured Photo: Kelechi Inehacho and Alex Iwobi scored for Nigeria. (Photo from News Africa)
