The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Sunday, October 9, against a side they have never beaten away from home, the Chipolopolo stars of Zambia.
In six encounters from 1973, the best the Super Eagles have gotten were 0-0 results in 1978 and 1997 in Nations Cup qualifiers.
This is the final phase of the qualifiers and only one team from Group B will go through to the tournament proper.
The Zambia national team warm up before a match
The two teams would be fired up to make it to Russia having both missed out on the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. But while Zambia will largely rely on the experience of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kennedy Mweene, Lille defender Stoppila Sunzu and TP Mazembe duo of Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala to do the damage, Super Eagles will hope to fly with the red-hot form of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and the experience of John Obi Mikel.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles team celebrate a goal
Nigeria has a narrow edge on head-to-head with six wins to Zambia’s five in 16 meetings with both teams settling for a draw on five occasions. However, in competitive games, there is a clearer advantage, as Nigeria has won five of 12. Both countries are also under new management: Gernot Rohr for Nigeria and Wedson Nyirenda, who will be making his debut as Zambia’s coach. The Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will be the grand setting for these two power houses of African football as NAIJ.com will be on ground to bring you minutes-by-minutes account of the encounter. Kick off time is 2.30pm Nigerian time.
Predicted Line ups
Nigeria: Carl Ikeme, Musa Mohammed, William Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Echiejile, Onazi, Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Brown Ideye.
Zambia: Kennedy Mweene, Kabaso Chongo, Stoppila Sunzu, Simon Silwamba, George Chilufya, Rainford Kalaba, John Ching’andu, Nathan Sinkala, Rodrick Kwabe, Jackson Mwanza, Lewis Macha.
In six encounters from 1973, the best the Super Eagles have gotten were 0-0 results in 1978 and 1997 in Nations Cup qualifiers.
This is the final phase of the qualifiers and only one team from Group B will go through to the tournament proper.
The Zambia national team warm up before a match
The two teams would be fired up to make it to Russia having both missed out on the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. But while Zambia will largely rely on the experience of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kennedy Mweene, Lille defender Stoppila Sunzu and TP Mazembe duo of Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala to do the damage, Super Eagles will hope to fly with the red-hot form of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and the experience of John Obi Mikel.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles team celebrate a goal
Nigeria has a narrow edge on head-to-head with six wins to Zambia’s five in 16 meetings with both teams settling for a draw on five occasions. However, in competitive games, there is a clearer advantage, as Nigeria has won five of 12. Both countries are also under new management: Gernot Rohr for Nigeria and Wedson Nyirenda, who will be making his debut as Zambia’s coach. The Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will be the grand setting for these two power houses of African football as NAIJ.com will be on ground to bring you minutes-by-minutes account of the encounter. Kick off time is 2.30pm Nigerian time.
Predicted Line ups
Nigeria: Carl Ikeme, Musa Mohammed, William Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Echiejile, Onazi, Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Brown Ideye.
Zambia: Kennedy Mweene, Kabaso Chongo, Stoppila Sunzu, Simon Silwamba, George Chilufya, Rainford Kalaba, John Ching’andu, Nathan Sinkala, Rodrick Kwabe, Jackson Mwanza, Lewis Macha.
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