It has been celebration galore as the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The three-time African champions defeated hard fighting Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 inside the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi, was the hero for Nigeria, scoring the decisive goal in the 73rd minute of the encounter.
Russia 2018 will be Nigeria’s sixth appearance in FIFA’s premier soccer tournament.
The country participated in the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament.
How The Match Was Won, Lost
It was an explosive and tension soaked match till Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored for Nigeria at the 75th minutes.
The Nigerians at the capacity filed magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom were full of joy as the centre referee blasted the final whistle after adding three minutes extra time.
The Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi, who was brought in for Moses Simon in one of the second half substitutions was the hero for Nigeria,
He scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute of the encounter that qualified the country for Russia 2018 which will make it Nigeria’s sixth appearance in FIFA’s premier soccer tournament. Recall that Nigeria participated in the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament.
Shortly after the Iwobi’s goal, Coach Rohr effected his third substitution by bringing Ola Aina to replace Echiejile.
Temitayo Olufisayo Olaoluwa “Ola” Aina is a Nigerian-English professional footballer who plays as a right back for Championship club Hull City, on loan from Premier League club Chelsea.
Though the first half of the match ended goalless and about 30 minutes into the second half both sides couldn’t find the back of the net in the crucial World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Odion Ighalo, Mikel and Moses Simon were guilty of missing chances in the few openings of the first half.
Zambia had a goal ruled out for offside, but replays showed the match officials were somehow wrong with their judgement.
Nigeria vs Zambia Match Statistics (First Half)
Shorts off Target; Nigeria 4 – 3 Zambia
Shorts on Target: Nigeria 1- 1 Zambia
Possession: Nigeria 50 – 50 Zambia
Booking: Nigeria 1 (Yell0w) – Mikel Agwu
It is the end of the first 45 minute of the match. The scoreline still remain goalless.
The possession has been Nigeria 50% and Zambia 50% at the 45th minutes.
What a miss! Zambia just missed a goal at the 36th minutes. it was a straight that hit the goal post from the center of the field.
Mikel Agwu who was brought in for the injured Onazi has just been booked by the center referee.
The first substitution of the match has been made. And it was Nigerian injured Onazi that has been substituted for Mikel Agu. The substitution was done in the 30th minutes
In the 24th minutes Onazi was stretched but he returned.
In the 23rd minutes the no 17 jersey of the Zambian was ruled offside after grabbing a goal.
In the 16th minute Odion Ighalo missed a begging chance to put Eagles ahead
The Most Valuable Man for the match win be one million naira richer (N1M)
It is still goalless in the first 10 minutes of the game. Both sides are sizing themselves up. While the Nigerian side have made two unsuccessful attempts at goal the Zambia has none.
The Eagles got their first corner kick. it was taken by Victor Moses but it was played straight to the safe hand of the Zambian’s goal keeper.
Zambia got the first corner kick of the game in the 4th minute but a header send it away for the second kick but was cleared away to a goal kick by Nigerian defender
Follow up for match and goal updates as the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualifier against Zambia match has kicked off .
Starting XI for Nigeria: Ezenwa, Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Echiejile,, Ndidi, Mikel, Moses, Simon, Ighalo.
Starting XI for Zambia: Mweene, Sunzu, Tembo, Kapumbu, Silwimba, Mtonga, Mwepu, Mulenga, Mbewe, Shonga, Daka.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
