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Goals from Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi and Man City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho were enough for a Super Eagles side lacking so many key players like Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses etc, as they fought out a 2-1 win over Zambia in Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Nigeria led by Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr started with a line up of Ikeme Carl Onora, Elderson Echiejire, Kenneth Josiah Omeruo, William Troost Ekong, Brown Ideye, John Obi Mikel.
Moses Daddy Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi, Alexander Chuka Iwobi and Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi while the Zambians led by Wedson Nyirenda comprised of Kennedy Mweene, Kabaso Chongo, Fackson Kapumbu, Adrian Chama, Stopilla Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala, Rainford Kalaba, Fwayo Tembo, Chisamba Lungu, Collins Mbesuma and Winston Kalengo. Moses started brightly for Nigeria on the right side as he tested the Zambian goalkeeper on the 5th minute then tried his luck with a set piece then at the 26th minute, beat his marker at the left flank before his effort was shot well over the bar.
Nigerians started pressurizing the Zambians then in the 33rd minute, Alex Iwobi volleyed into the net after bad defending from Zambia’s defenders.
That goal wasn’t enough for the Super Eagles as Kelechi Iheanacho combined well with Mikel Obi and Ideye before dribbling past goalkeeper Mweene then slotted into the net from a tight corner. In the 48th minute, Zambia made their first change of the game, replacing Chama with Mtonga.
Nigeria’s defence started becoming shaky and the crowd started hyping the home team then in the 70th minute, a cross from Zambia’s right wing that was poorly intercepted by Kenneth Omeruo was capitalized by Zambia’s No 9 Collins Mbesuma who calmly slotted into the net.
Nigeria sat deep and defended the 1-2 scoreline till the end. Gernot Rohr’s men will now return to Nigeria, happy to have gotten the maximum 3 points.
Congrats Super Eagles!