Nigeria Super Eagles clinched 2-1
win over Zambia on Sunday, 9 October, 2016 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The first
half goals from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho gave 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 tough 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 Iwobi 32 minutes to put
Rohr’s men ahead – his first international goal since making his debut against
Congo DR on 8 October, 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment