Nigeria v Zambia- Pulse of the matter

I'm looking forward to Saturday's all important game against Zambia with sweaty palms and for good reason too.

The Chipolopolo have always been a dangerous team and matches with the Super Eagles have never been easy. In fact I can't remember a game that we took them to the cleaners-none that I can think of right now.

The scoreline has always been 2-0 or 2-1 in favor of Nigeria. Our latest conquest of the Zambians was a laboured 2-1 win in Ndola on Match Day One of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

We stormed to a two goal lead in the first half through Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho but the second half was all Zambia. Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme came up big on the day and helped Nigeria escape with a 2-1 away win.

Saturday's game looks like a slippery one and the Super Eagles will do well to dodge the banana peels the Chipolopolo will throw at them (no pun intended).

Nigeria wins the game and Russia 2018 is a certainty even with a game to spare while a draw or loss means it will go down to the wire-the final Match Day, that will see Nigeria going to Algeria while Zambia welcome Cameroon.


I had a couple of experts chip in with their thoughts as regards their most memorable Nigeria v Zambia match up and how they think the Eagles will fare on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.


Emeka Enyadike (Supersport)


"It will have to be the Afcon 1994 finals in Tunisia and how Nigeria came from a goal down to lift the trophy. 

This was the best ever Nigerian team and in spite of the power of the Super Eagles on their way to their first World Cup, Zambia was to prove a difficult opponent.  A new team rebuilt only weeks after they had lost the bulk of their greatest team in a plane crash. 

Zambia was the fairytale team and they enjoyed the support of the football world determined to see them rise to greatness and when they tool the early lead, it seemed like a reality but two goals by Emmanuel Amuneke saw to it that their dreams were punctured. 


Saturday is Zambia's best chance for revenge and their resurgence is remarkable considering they lost their first game at home to Nigeria. 

I think it will be a big contest and Nigeria is still riding on the crest of the unlikely dismantling of the indomitable lions of Cameroon  last month will know the world cup ticket is within their reach.


Nigeria will win"
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China Acheru  Football Journalist



"My Nigeria v Zambia moment that still haunts me is the double header final qualifying game for afcon 86. Goalless in Lagos and we lost 1-0 in Lusaka, missing the AFCON

I still have memories of captain for the game, Henry Nwosu, playing his heart out, covering every blade of grass on the pitch yet we couldn't find a way past the Zambians. 


Still haunts me till this day. I needed that AFCON
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Morakinyo Abodurin (The Nation)



"This match will be like a cup final and a repeat of the 1994 AFCON between both countries. The Chipolopolo as usual would fight with possessed spirit but the Super Eagles'  top level experience would come in handy.

The Super Eagles just need to be cautious; this is a game they can easily win but they must never leave their back open because Zambia will fight till the very end.
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'Kisu Sulola (The Cable)

 

My best  ever Nigeria Vs Zambia moment was the  final of the  1994 African Cup of Nations hosted by Tunisia. It was a huge game and highly  competitive. We conceded in the  early minutes and things looked really  bad for Nigeria. Kalusha  Bwalya  was having  a great  game but then  an unlikely  Nigerian Emmanuel  Amuneke  stole the show  .He had shone in training  but never featured till his surprise  inclusion in the  final. He scored two lovely goals as we won 2-1 to win the  cup for the  first  time since our first Nations Cup triumph in 1980.


The game on Saturday will be the  most anticipated  Eagles game in a long time so much is at stake here and Zambia will not be an easy opponent.They defeated Algeria home and away and Eagles  had to do all it could  plus experience  to defeat  them  at home in Ndola. 

Eagles are fired up and ready for this and I am sure they  know  you can't underrate or take the  Chipolopolo lightly but all things being  equal  Super Eagles have all it takes to defeat Zambia and be the  first African team to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

The quality  of this Eagles will see them  eventually win a tricky game but these  guys want to be at the  world  cup and their  desire and guts will see Eagles win this  by all means. I foresee a Nigeria 2-0 Zambia scoreline at the end of 90 minutes

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Kola Daniel (ScoreNigeria)



" It will be exciting game because it is a must win match for the two countries. Both countries have been solid in the last two matches which put both countries in the pole position to pick the sole ticket

 We have quality in the Super Eagles with a great bench which is our greatest strength. We can also capitalise  on the injuries sustained by key players of the Chipolopolo to get the job done.


 Super Eagles have a full compliment of their team and it will really add value to the team. Most especially Alex Iwobi who is back from injury."
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Wale Mustapha (Kogi United Media Officer)

I was marvelled at the way Super Eagles started the World Cup qualifying campaign with the victory over the Chipolopolo in Ndola.

My best moment was Kelechi Iheanacho's goal. The build up to the goal was perfect and the way he rounded Nweene was excellent.


I may be a little scared or worried about the recent upsurge of the Zambians but I'm confident Super Eagles will get the job done with victory, may be scrappy, but I believe Super Eagles will win the match and get the ticket on Saturday.
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Tobi Adepoju (Independent journalist)


October 9th, 2016 in Ndola. 

After the draws were made for the World Cup qualifiers, the group was rated as one of the toughest group. It was Gernot Rohr second game, absolutely the first competitive game after the formality Tanzania game in Uyo. Been a while we saw a dominant Super Eagles team away from home.

I'm hopeful Super Eagles will conquer the Chipolopolo, it won't be easy for Nigeria. The Zambians have got a better team compared to the squad Nigeria defeated last year, the transition of their National U20 players, the local and foreign pros have given them a level of competition with Nigeria.


With the momentum inside the Super Eagles camp and the quality players invited, Nigeria should win. If Nigeria were able to score in the opening 30 minutes, it will be a big win for the Super Eagles, but if Zambia keep the first half clean it will be a slim win for Nigeria.
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Adewale Ajayi (Sports Journalist)

The venue was Rades in Tunis and it was the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. That day in 1994 readily comes  to mind anytime Nigeria vs Zambia is discussed. 

Zambia was enjoying world sympathy after a generation of first team players perished in that fatal plane crash that happened off the coast of Gabon. They rode on luck and sympathy to get to the final only to be pitched against a Nigerian team, desperate for success after picking silver at Algiers 90 and bronze at Senegal 92. 

So the stage was set for two of Africa's best teams at the time,  to lock horns in the final of the 1994 Nations cup, tagged Tunisia 94. Zambia had the experienced and skillful  Kalusha Bwalya to count on while Nigerians were looking forward to yet another showman performance from the great Rashidi Yekini but true to type, the Nigerian coach Clemens Westerhof had other tricks up his sleeves.


 He started Emmanuel Amunike for the very first time since the competition began and the Zamalek of Egypt winger scored first from a near post header and the second, a screamer from just inside the box, to render the near post equaliser by Elijah Litana for Zambia inconsequential as the Super Eagles silenced the over 60,000 spectators routing for the underdogs to cart home, their second Nations cup trophy in fourteen years. 

Will history repeat itself on Saturday? Only time will tell!
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Lolade Adewuyi (Sports Business Consultant/Football Writer)


My best Nigeria-Zambia moment was Emmanuel Amuneke scoring the winner at Tunisia '94 final. On Saturday it will be very cagey with both sides determined to make it count. However, I think Nigeria will prove a stronger team than Zambia.
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Abu Azeez (Beach Sand Eagles star)



I think we have a massive squad and the moment and a solid reserve that can come in to turn the game around.

 Best moment has to be Tunisia 94.


We  have a solid team and reserves at the moment that can turn the game around at any time, all we need is  luck on our side,but based on squad,we have the upper hand.
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Amobi Ezeaku (Football Administrator)



The feeling of going to Ndola to get maximum points has been my best yet. Its my best moment because playing contemporary Zambia at home is always a massive one. They were fired up at home but we were able to quench their fire.

Saturday's game would be mental and tactical. I expect a Zambian rush in the early moments of the game and as usual stiff and fruitful opposition from the Super eagles. Minutes before the Hall hour mark Nigeria would occupy the driver's seat till the end of the game. Thank you.

The feeling of going to Ndola to get maximum points has been my best yet. Its my best moment because playing contemporary Zambia at home is always a massive one. They're fire at home but we were able to quench their fire.


Saturday's game would be mental and tactical. I expect a Zambian rush in the early moments of the game and as usual stiff and fruitful opposition from the Super eagles. Minutes before the Half hour mark Nigeria would occupy the driver's seat till the end of the game. 
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Johnny Edward (Complete Sports)



No doubt, my memorable Nigeria vs Zambia which ended 2-1. That win earned  Nigeria her second AFCON title.


No doubt, my memorable Nigeria vs Zambia game was the 1994 AFCON final which ended 2-1. That win earned  Nigeria her second AFCON title.
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