Nigeria began their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia with a 2 – 1 in the first match in Group B.
The Super Eagles got the better of the Chipolopolo in the first half with two goals which eventually proved crucial in winning the match.
Zambia nearly got back into the game with Mbesuma’s 71st minute strike but the Nigerian team held on to get maximum points at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Here are the four things we learnt in the Nigeria/Zambia match
1. First away win
Nigerians are happy with the result because the national team have never recorded an away win against Zambia in history and the victory came at the crucial time of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The eye-catching performance of the team have given the Super Eagles team a psychological advantage going into their next round of home matches against Algeria and Cameroon respectively.
2. Formidable attack
For the first time in a few years, the Nigerian team can boast of their attackers to deliver the goods at the needed time.
The combination of Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Brown Ideye and Moses Simon put the Zambian defenders on their toes as they also kept Kennedy Nweeney busy in goal.
3. Promising youngsters
Kelechi Iheanacho and Alexi Iwobi strikers are two of Nigeria’s most promising youngsters on paper and they proved it on they field as they got the goals that won the match.
The Arsenal strikers’ goal was exquisite after he opened his body to volley home his shot which too hot to handle for Nweeney and City’s forward showed a touch of class as he rounded the Zambian keeper to squeeze in the second for Nigeria.
4. A worthy replacement in goal
Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Karl Ikeme posted a man-of-the-match performance in the match as he made series of outstanding saves.
The Super Eagles were lucky to have won the match but for the point blank saves made by Ikeme especially from Rainford Kalaba’s header which was stopped by the 30-year-old.
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