As It Happened: Nigeria 1-0 Zambia

Good afternoon and welcome to Nigerianeye's live text coverage of the 2018 World Cup qualifier clash between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo.


OFFICIAL LINE-UPS

Nigeria:  Ezenwa, Shehu, Balogun, Troost, Elderson, Onazi, Mikel, Ndidi, Simon, Ighalo, Moses

Zambia: K Mweene, S Silwimba, F Kapumbu, Z Tembo, S Sunzu, K Mtonga, A Mulenga, E Mwepu, C Lungu, A Ngonga, F Sakala.




















It's a victory that has confirmed Super Eagles place at next year's tournament in Russia, and one that will have made Gernot Rohr a very relieved man indeed. Thanks for joining our live coverage of the match!

FULL-TIME: NIGERIA 1-0 ZAMBIA 

90' + 1' Yellow card John Ching’andu

90' Ola Aina and Victor Moses pull off a quick one-two just outside of the Zambia penalty area that sets up the latter to get a shot away, but just as he's about to, he slips and goalkeeper Mweene makes a simple catch. Three minutes added time.

88' Nigeria have been dominating the last 10 minutes or so, but they can't find a way through past Zambia who are left with no desire or drive as they look a defeated team, mentally and physically. This is not the night they had planned.

87' Substitution Augustine Mulenga John Ching’andu

84' The noise in this stadium is never ending. The party will go long into the night here at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, as Nigeria are few minutes away from their sixth Fifa World Cup. William Troost-Ekong heads away Zambia’s attacking forays

81' Victory tonight would see Nigeria move six-points clear of Zambia and qualify for Russia 2018 with a game in hand, and you can see just what it means to these fans. They're bouncing up and down all over the stadium, singing their hearts out. Zambia's confidence is shaken and Nigeria smell blood!

79' Substitution Elderson Uwa Echiejile Temitayo Olufisayo Olaoluwa Aina

75' Every nooks and crannies of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, there is just one name on every fans’ lips…IWOBI! IWOBI!! IWOBI !!!

73' GOAL!!! Alex Iwobi profits from a moment of carelessness from the Chipolopolo backline to fire past Mweene. The Super Eagles take the lead and head closer to Russia. What a strike! 

71' - A great counter attack for Nigeria, but Ighalo opts to try and cut back rather than shoot first time and the move breaks down!

68' - Midway through the second half, still 0-0. So far so good for Zambia, but they need to win this match if they are to have any realistic hope of qualifying ahead of Nigeria.

66' - Substitution - Here's the answer, as Iwobi replaces Simon in the forward line.

65' - How long before Nigeria look to boost their attack? They have the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho on the bench...

63' - Yellow card - Abdullahi is booked for a nasty challenge on Mwepu.

60' - Up to the hour mark, just 30 minutes left for one of these teams to take this game by the scruff of the neck.

57' - Ndidi with a looping header on target but Mweene makes a superb save to keep the game goalless!

55' Shehu Abdullahi hacks down Alex Ngonga and the visitors have a chance to pump their attack with a freekick. That was a lucky one from the defender who escaped being cautioned by the referee

52' Super Eagles defenders standing and watching as Zambia march their way up the pitch. It looked a few times like the visitors had a chance to break up the move, but it doesn't happen, and it leads to a real chance for Lungu, but he's thwarted at the near post by William Troost-Ekong ! Good positioning and reactions from the defender

49' Nigeria off to a flying start in this second half and the Chipolopolo look shaken. Mikel Obi’s eyes light up as he has close to get the curtain raiser but can't hit the target – he wins a corner though. The hosts are starting this second half exactly how they finished the first.

46' We're underway once again! Zambia restart


Both the atmosphere and performance inside Godswill Akpabio Stadium have been solid this evening, leaving the fans with something to talk about at the half-time break. Zambia haven't necessarily been bad as they've caused too many problems for Nigeria, despite a decent performance from Moses Simon. The youngster has arguably been the hosts' best player so far, but even he's found it difficult to get the better of the oppositions' stubborn defence.


HALF-TIME: NIGERIA 0-0 ZAMBIA 

45'  The fourth official has indicated that there will be just two minutes of added time.

43' - Ighalo with a half-chance under pressure from Tembo, but he volleys off target.

40' - Five minutes to half time. Nigeria have been the better team overall, but Zambia have had perhaps the best chances.

38' - Mikel volleys a dropping ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide.

36' - Ngonga with a long range effort which bounces awkwardly in front of Ezenwa and then strikes the outside of the post! The closest we've come to a goal at either end!

35' - Yellow card - Agu is booked for a hand in Mwepu's face in midfield. He'll need to tread carefully now...

31' - Moses cuts inside from the right and shoots left-footed, but Mweene makes a comfortable save. Now it's a chance for Ngonga, who outmuscles Balogun and stabs a shot over with only Ezenwa to beat!

30' - Substitution - Here comes the change for Nigeria, with Agu replacing the injured Onazi.

29' - Zambia have grown in this game and are now posing a genuine threat to the hosts.

27' - Nigeria have got Ndubisi Agu ready to replace Onazi, but the midfielder limps on for now. Looks like he'll try to run the injury off.

24' - A blow here for Nigeria, with Onazi receiving treatment and the medical team has called for a substitution.

23' - Midway through the first half, still goalless in Uyo. Zambia have the ball in the back of the net through Mulenga, but he's flagged offside.

20' - Another corner for Nigeria, again it's well defended by Zambia.

17' - Simon plays a great cross from the right flank but it's just too strong for Ighalo, who threw himself at the ball but couldn't quite reach it!

14' - Nigeria's defence gives the ball away and Zambia are presented with a great chance - however, Sakala opts for a shot from a tight angle which only travels out for a goal kick. Lucky break for the hosts...

13' - Ngonga with a cracking turn, run and cross from the right flank, but his ball is just too strong for Sakala through the middle.

12' - Good defending from Echiejile as he holds off Ngonga in attack for Zambia.

9' - Good passing from the Super Eagles, though Zambia are looking well organised in defence.

6' - Simon with a storming run forward to win a corner kick. The set piece sees Moses look for the far post, but Mweene makes a solid catch.

4' - Zambia with a couple of quick corners, but neither is a bother for Nigeria thanks to some sub-par delivery from Kapumbu.

2' - Moses blown up for an early hand-ball near the centre circle. Nigeria starting with plenty of energy and intent.

1' - Kick-off - We are underway in Uyo! Nigeria wear their famous all-green, while Zambia are kitted out in orange and black.

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