Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho both found the back of the net as Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-1 to top Group B in their third-round World Cup qualifying campaign.
Arsenal midfielder Iwobi opened the scoring for the Super Eagles in the 32nd minute, firing into the bottom corner following a knockback to net his first international goal.
And Manchester City striker Iheanacho then doubled Nigeria's lead 10 minutes later as he latched onto a through ball before rounding the keeper and slotting home.
Between Nigeria’s goals in the first half, Zambia skipper Rainford Kalaba was denied an equaliser by the brilliant goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who kept out a powerful, goal-bound header from the top of the six-yard box. Both sides had chances earlier in this half to score. Collins Mbesuma pulled one back for Zambia in the 71st minute, but the visitors were able to hang on to their lead and record a victory in their Group B opener. Goalkeeper Ikeme denied Zambia at least twice after the interval as the home team fought back.
The five group winners qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
No comments:
Post a Comment