Nigeria enjoyed a 2-1 winning start in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifying tie away in Ndola, Zambia on Sunday.
The Super Eagles also registered their first-ever victory in Zambia as the Chipolopolo were defeated for the first time at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Goals from Arsenal attacker 20-year-old Alex Iwobi and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho gave the visitors a two-goal lead in the 32′ and 42 minutes respectively.
The hosts responded 20 minutes to full time through star striker Collins Mbesuma, when he capitalised on a blunder inside the box by Kenneth Omeruo.
Goalkeeper Ikeme denied Zambia on several occasions after the interval as the home team fought back to at least secure a draw, but they were unsuccessful.
The Super Eagles, however, held the 2-1 lead for the remaining 20 minutes of the game to take all the three points.
They host Algeria next in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Zambia: Kennedy Mweene, Kabaso Chongo, Stopilla Sunzu, Adrian Chama (Kondwani Mtongo 48), Fackson Kapumbu – Nathan Sinkala, Fwayo Tembo (Roger Kola 81), Chisamba Lungu, Rainford Kalaba (skipper) – Collins Mbesuma, Winston Kalengo (Jackson Mwanza 56)
Nigeria: Carl Ikeme – Wilfred Ndidi, Elderson Echiejile, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong – Ogenyi Onazi (Shehu Abdullahi 90+2), Mikel Obi (captain) – Moses Simon (Ahmed Musa 83), Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho – Brown Ideye (Anderson Esiti 73)
Sunday’s Fixtures & Results
Zambia 1-2 Nigeria
Congo 1-2 Egypt
Tunisia 2-0 Guinea
Algeria 1-1 Cameroon
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