Idris Adesina
Nigeria got their Russia 2018 World Cup
qualifying campaign off to a winning start after they defeated hosts
Zambia 2-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Sunday.
It was Nigeria’s first win in Zambia and
the Chipolopolo’s first loss at the stadium. It was the 17th meeting
between the two teams. Nigeria won six previous meetings while the
Zambians won five. The other five encounters between them ended in
draws.
Two goals from youngsters Alex Iwobi and
Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Super Eagles the three points as the race
for Russia began in earnest. Cameroon and Algeria are the other teams in
Group B.
The Eagles took their chances in the first half with two goals, but after the interval Zambia fought to pull a goal back.
Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr, started Carl
Ikeme in goal with Elderson Echiejile, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth
Omeruo and Wilfred Ndidi in the defence. Captain Mikel Obi and Ogenyi
Onazi were in the midfield with Iwobi, Iheanacho, Moses Simon and
Brown Ideye in the attack.
The match, which was watched by Zambian
President, Edgar Lungu, was a physical contest played before a capacity
crowd at the stadium. A win in the match was badly needed by the two
sides following their failure to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of
Nations in Gabon.
The Nigerians started the match brightly
as they sought to redeem their image and live up to the expectations of
their fans at home.
Both sides had chances early in the
first half to score but the Nigerians grew into the match after Ikeme
made a save in the third minute when he tipped a cross over for a corner
kick.
In the 23rd minute, Fwayo Tembo again
tested Ikeme with a powerful shot from outside the box before Nigeria
responded through Moses Simon, who cashed in on a defensive error in the
26th minute, but his effort sailed wide.
Nigeria went ahead in the 33rd minute
when Zambia defender, Kabaso Chongo, failed to deal effectively with an
Ndidi throw-in. The ball fell to Arsenal’s Iwobi, who shot past
goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Zambia rallied for an equaliser in the
38th minute but a header by captain Rainford Kalaba was stopped by
Ikeme. Nigeria doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Ideye passed
to Iheanacho in the penalty area. The Manchester City forward rounded up
Mweene before shooting into the net from a tight angle.
Zambia dominated the second half and got
a consolation in the 71st minute when Collins Mbesuma took advantage of
a defensive error by Omeruo to beat Ikeme.
The Nigerians held on to the lead and survived threats by the Zambians for a famous win.
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