Two first half goals by Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Super Eagles a 2-1 win over Zambia on Sunday, October 10.
Nigeria squared up against Zambia in the match-day one of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Ndola and started with the two most in-form young players in the Premier League.
Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohrdeployed Iwobi at the left wing while Iheanacho played between the midfield and striker Brown Ideye.
The Arsenal and Manchester City players repaid Rohr’s faith as they impressed in the win.
The Super Eagles playing in their traditional away kit started on the back foot as the Zambians dominated the early proceedings.
The Chipolopolo got their first chance in the second minute with Super Eagles goalkeeperCarl Ikeme saved a dangerous corner that was heading inside the next.
Kenneth Omeruo stopped a Zambia attack after captain John Mikel Obi was dispossessed in the 11th minute of the game.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria got their first chance in the 15th after Iwobi played a fantastic pass toBrown Ideye.
The striker was one on one with the goalkeeper but his effort went wide before he adjudged to be offside.
Elderson Echiejile stepped in to clear the lines in the 19th minute as the Zambians kept pressing the Super Eagles.
Moses Simon has a chance to put Nigeria on the lead but failed to hit the target after he was cleared on goal.
Iwobi gave Nigeria the lead as he pounced on a loosed ball from a throw-in to shoot past the Zambian goalkeeper.
The Chipolopolo nearly got their equaliser but Ikeme was in the right place to save a close-range header.
The Super Eagles got their second in the 43rd as Iheanacho dribbled the goalkeeper to tap into the net after he was played in by Ideye.
The Zambians dominated the second half in search of a goal but Ikeme was on hand to save some goal-bound balls.
The Zambian goalkeeper also saved some couple of shots as the Super Eagles attack on the counter.
He tipped over a dipping shot from Mikel Obi to keep Zambia in the game.
Zambia got a goal back in the 70th minute through Collins Mbesuma who capitalised on a slip from Super Eagles defender Omeruo to drive a low shot past Ikeme.
The Super Eagle, however, held the 2-1 lead for the remaining 20 minutes of the game to take all the tree points.
They host Algeria next in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
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