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!
No comments:
Post a Comment