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Nigeria cruised past Zambia 2-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium courtesy of first half goals from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho giving new coach Gernot Rohr a winning start in the 2018 World Cup qualifying series.
A consolation second half goal by Collins Mbesuma at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium brightened the hope of host spectators but wasn’t enough to level up with the visitors who had lost chances in the first half.
Presence of Zambian President Edgar Lungu didn’t at anyway intimidate rampaging Super Eagles in attack as the trio of Iwobi, Iheanacho and Moses Simon continued their disturbance on Zambian defence.
It would have been an earlier party for the West Africans if Brown Ideye had capitalised on Adrian Chama’s defensive blunder in the third minute though few seconds later, impressive Carl Ikeme was forced to make a fine save from Fwayo Tembo’s cross, saving Rohr’s side an early embarrassment..
It took prodigy Iwobi 32 minutes to put Rohr’s men ahead – his first international goal since making his debut against Congo DR on October 8, 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.
Nigeria host Algeria in their second game on November 7, 2016 while Zambia chase their first victory with an away tie against Cameroon.
Story by Dayo Emmanuel
With additional report from Goal.com
