2018 W/Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria ready to soar against Zambia

The Super Eagles played Chipolopolo of Zambia in a crucial Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
Nigeria is on top of Group B with ten points, while Chipolopolo lies second with seven points following a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in an home and away triumphs over Algeria.
Zambia Coach, Wedson Nyirenda has vowed that his players will step into the pitch and deal a heavy blow to the hopes of the Eagles qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Chipolopolo is yet to feature at the World Cup, while, the Super Eagles on their part, will be aiming for their sixth appearance at the Mundial.
“The chances to topple Nigeria are still there, we are going into that pitch with only one thing in mind – to go to Russia. Anything can happen.
“Nigeria also has a last game against Algeria and we have a last game against Cameroon at home,” said the Zambia Coach.
In their last meeting in the first leg of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola in 2016, Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1.
Eagles remain unbeaten in eight straight games against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.
In four previous home games against Zambia in Nigeria, the Eagles are yet to taste defeat, securing three wins and one draw.
In the 2013 AFCON hosted by South Africa the Eagles and Zambia were drawn in the same group. They played a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Emenike gave the Eagles the lead before Kennedy Mweene equalised from the penalty spot.
Speaking ahead of game, Super Eagles head Coach, Gernot Rohr, admitted that the Chipolopolo of Zambia would not be a piece of cake against Nigeria.
Rohr said the Southern African would want to do everything possible to frustrate the three times African Cup of Nation winner’s despite playing away.
The Franco-German trainer said, “I can’t predict the score line against Zambia because it would not be an easy match,”
“Zambia can be dangerous because they also have a good team; I don’t think it would be a 4-0 win for us but the most important thing for us is to win even if it’s by one or two goal difference,” added Rohr.
Rohr said the Chipolopolo would not be underrated despite Nigeria’s impressive record against Zambia at international level after winning seven out of the past 17 matches plus the 2-1 away win in Ndola last October as well as five drawn and five losses in other encounters.
In a related development, Eagles training camp in Uyo is now bubbling ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia as skipper Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and 14 other players have now reported.
No fewer than twenty players trained in the Eagles’ first session on Tuesday evening as the team properly kicked off their preparation.
The others in Uyo are Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Mikel Agu, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Anthony Nwakaeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye as well as two standby players, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Afeez Aremu both of Akwa United. The rest of the squad are expected in time for the team’s first training this evening.
Five players named to the 23-man roster – Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC), Ola Aina (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) and Moses Simon (Gent) – have not yet reported for international duty as at 1600 hours.
Tuesday training was opened to the public, but officials said the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will be closed.
Onazi is confident that the Super Eagles will book their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with one game to spare by beating Zambia on Saturday.
The Super Eagles assistant skipper promised, ”We will give all it takes as far as football is concerned. We will play like everything depends on us and pray like everything depends on God. We will not be distracted. We will get our three points on Saturday”.
Zambia’s Coach has invited 20 local players in preparation for the October 7 2018 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Team will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, ahead of potentially the most lucrative game in their history.
Seven of the invited nine foreign-based professionals summoned by manager Wedson Nyirenda have joined the Zambia national team camp in Accra.
FC Liefering striker Patson Daka will link up with his international teammates upon their arrival in Abuja on Wednesday, while Djurgardens attacking midfielder Edward Chilufya has withdrawn from the squad as his work permit is still being processed in Sweden.The Super Eagles played Chipolopolo of Zambia in a crucial Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
Nigeria is on top of Group B with ten points, while Chipolopolo lies second with seven points following a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in an home and away triumphs over Algeria.
Zambia Coach, Wedson Nyirenda has vowed that his players will step into the pitch and deal a heavy blow to the hopes of the Eagles qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Chipolopolo is yet to feature at the World Cup, while, the Super Eagles on their part, will be aiming for their sixth appearance at the Mundial.
“The chances to topple Nigeria are still there, we are going into that pitch with only one thing in mind – to go to Russia. Anything can happen.
“Nigeria also has a last game against Algeria and we have a last game against Cameroon at home,” said the Zambia Coach.
In their last meeting in the first leg of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola in 2016, Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1.
Eagles remain unbeaten in eight straight games against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.
In four previous home games against Zambia in Nigeria, the Eagles are yet to taste defeat, securing three wins and one draw.
In the 2013 AFCON hosted by South Africa the Eagles and Zambia were drawn in the same group. They played a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Emenike gave the Eagles the lead before Kennedy Mweene equalised from the penalty spot.
Speaking ahead of game, Super Eagles head Coach, Gernot Rohr, admitted that the Chipolopolo of Zambia would not be a piece of cake against Nigeria.
Rohr said the Southern African would want to do everything possible to frustrate the three times African Cup of Nation winner’s despite playing away.
The Franco-German trainer said, “I can’t predict the score line against Zambia because it would not be an easy match,”
“Zambia can be dangerous because they also have a good team; I don’t think it would be a 4-0 win for us but the most important thing for us is to win even if it’s by one or two goal difference,” added Rohr.
Rohr said the Chipolopolo would not be underrated despite Nigeria’s impressive record against Zambia at international level after winning seven out of the past 17 matches plus the 2-1 away win in Ndola last October as well as five drawn and five losses in other encounters.
In a related development, Eagles training camp in Uyo is now bubbling ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia as skipper Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and 14 other players have now reported.
No fewer than twenty players trained in the Eagles’ first session on Tuesday evening as the team properly kicked off their preparation.
The others in Uyo are Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Mikel Agu, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Anthony Nwakaeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye as well as two standby players, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Afeez Aremu both of Akwa United. The rest of the squad are expected in time for the team’s first training this evening.
Five players named to the 23-man roster – Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC), Ola Aina (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) and Moses Simon (Gent) – have not yet reported for international duty as at 1600 hours.
Tuesday training was opened to the public, but officials said the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will be closed.
Onazi is confident that the Super Eagles will book their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with one game to spare by beating Zambia on Saturday.
The Super Eagles assistant skipper promised, ”We will give all it takes as far as football is concerned. We will play like everything depends on us and pray like everything depends on God. We will not be distracted. We will get our three points on Saturday”.
Zambia’s Coach has invited 20 local players in preparation for the October 7 2018 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Team will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, ahead of potentially the most lucrative game in their history.
Seven of the invited nine foreign-based professionals summoned by manager Wedson Nyirenda have joined the Zambia national team camp in Accra.
FC Liefering striker Patson Daka will link up with his international teammates upon their arrival in Abuja on Wednesday, while Djurgardens attacking midfielder Edward Chilufya has withdrawn from the squad as his work permit is still being processed in Sweden.
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
Nigeria: Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Elderson Echiejile, Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong – Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi – Victor Moses, Mikel Obi (Skipper), Moses Simon – Odion Ighalo
Zambia: Toaster Nsabata, Simon Silwimba, Ziyo Tembo, Simon Silwimba, Adrian Chama, Kondwani Mtonga, Edward Chilufya, Ernest Mbewe, Godfrey Ngwenya, John Ching’andu, Patson Daka
Key Players:
Nigeria: Odion Ighalo, John Mikel Obi
Zambia: Patson Daka, Edward Chilufya