Super Eagles get their World Cup campaign off to flying start with 2-1 win away in Zambia

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have got their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 victory away to Zambia at the Ndola Stadium in a tension-soaked match that saw the team come away with all three points.

 

From the whistle, Nigeria took the initiative at the state of the game and were duly rewarded in a highly satisfactory first half with two goals. Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after rounding the Zambian defence, while Kelechi Iheanacho made it two ion the 43td minute after dribbling the Zambian goalkeeper.

 

This killed off the Zambian fight for the remainder of the first half and the Eagles went into the break two nil up. At the restart, however, the Zambians came out fighting, piling the pressure on in search of an elusive goal.

 

In the 73rd minute, however, Chipolopolo, or the Copper Bullets, as they are fondly called, got their just rewards when Kenneth Omeruo was caught dallying with the ball in the heart of the defence. He was dispossessed by Colin Mbesuma, who first home past goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, to reduce the deficit.

 

Thereafter, the Eagles appeared to wake up again and created several chances with Mikel Obi coming closest and Ahmed Musa drawing a save from the Zambian goalkeeper. After that, it was a balanced affair with both sides seeking a win but the Eagles managed to hold on for three precious points.

 

Coach Gerhart Rohr will be delighted with this victory in his first competitive game in charge of the Eagles. He will now be looking forward to facing Cameroon and Algeria, the other two teams in the group who meet each other later on tonight.

 

Nigeria XI

Ikeme

Ndidi

Echiejile

Omeruo

Ekong

Onazi (Abdullahi)

Mikel

Iwobi

Simon (Musa)

Ideye (Esiti)

Iheanacho