The strikers were on target as the Super
Eagles began their World Cup qualifying
campaign with a win after seeing off the
Chipolopolo in Ndola
Nigeria cruised past Zambia 2-1 at the Levy
Mwanawasa Stadium thanks to first half
goals from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi
Iheanacho to give coach Gernot Rohr a
winning start in the 2018 World Cup
qualifying series.
The visitors made light work of their hosts
who got their consolation courtesy Collins
Mbesuma at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The Super Eagles were less relentless in
attack even with the presence of Zambia
president Edgar Lungu, as the trio of Iwobi,
Iheanacho and Moses Simon gave Stopilla
Sunzu’s marshaled backline a torrid time.
Brown Ideye failed to cash in on Adrian
Chama’s defensive blunder in the third
minute and few seconds later, impressive
Carl Ikeme was forced to make a fine save
from Fwayo Tembo’s cross.
It took prodigy Iwobi 32 minutes to put
Rohr’s men ahead – his first international
goal since making his debut against Congo DR
on October 8, 2015.
The Arsenal forward riffled past goalkeeper
Kennedy Mweene after a defensive mishap
from Wedson Nyirenda’s men.
The hosts’ afternoon got worse when
Iheanacho got a pass from Brown Ideye,
rounded up three Chipolopolo defenders and
slotted home the second three minutes from
the half time break.
Zambia looked stronger in the second half
and Ikeme had to produce sensational saves
to deny Mbesuma, Rainford Kalaba and
Chisamba Lungu.
But Nigeria's hopes of keeping a clean slate
got dashed as Mbesuma reduced the deficit
in the 71st minute, no thanks to Kenneth
Omeruo’s blunder.
Kalaba and Jackson spurned two excellent
opportunities to level scores in the closing
stages of the game, as the Super Eagles
calmed their nerves to seal maximum points.
Nigeria host Algeria in their second game on
November 7, 2016 while Zambia chase their
first victory with an away tie against
Cameroon.
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