AFRICA GROUP B – NIGERIA/ZAMBIA MATCH
Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda is now talking tough ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Nigeria – warning that no trick by Nigeria will stop his team from qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia. The Chipolopolo of Zambia is now the only team that stands between Nigeria and Russia 2018 after their double win against Algeria earlier this month.
The Zambians have seven points, three points less than group leaders Nigeria, and should they avoid defeat on October 7 in Uyo, they will drag the qualifiers right up to the final day of action in November, when Nigeria will be away to Algeria while Zambia will be hosting Cameroon, which has been knocked out.
The Zambians lost 2-1 to the Eagles in Ndola last October, but they have since enjoyed a resurgence spearheaded by younger and more determined players so much so that they are now dreaming of a first-ever World Cup qualification.
Coach Nyirenda now warns the three-time African champions ahead of the decisive game in Uyo. “No matter the tricks that Nigeria will want to use against us, they will not sway us from the aim of booking a ticket to the World Cup”.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s coach, Genot Rohr, has named an unchanged team to face Zambia on October 7 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester trio of Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, the China-based duo of Captain John Mikel Obi and OdionIghalo as well as Chelsea wing-back, Victor Moses, are all in the 23-member squad.
Ighalo has said he was happy to be called up again and that it was an honour to play for his country. “We know Zambia is a strong team and they will come with full determination in Uyo, we cannot engage in irrelevant pre-match talking but deliver on the pitch. I’ve never played at the World Cup and like my other colleagues we all want to be in Russia. The duel against Zambia is like a final”, he said.
The full team has as goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Ayodele Ajiboye while the defenders are William Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Uche Agbo, Chidozie Awaziem and OlaoluwaAina.
The midfielders are Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu and Mikel Agu, with the forwards being Ahmed Musa Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and Anthony Nwakaeme.
Contract for new kit
World leading sports brand, Nike, is to supply kits to the value of $750,000 to the various national teams of Nigeria in the first year of the contract recently signed with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Details of the contract, signed at The Soho Hotel, Richmond Mews, London last week showed that the products value would increase in the second year, with Nike committed to supplying kits to the value of $1million to Nigerian national teams.
The three-and-half year contract was signed by NFF President, AmajuPinnick, and General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, with Tina Salminen, NIKE’s African Football Sports Marketing Director, representing the American company.
There are also various bonuses specified for any of the national teams that qualifies for major international championships, with the Super Eagles to earn up to the sum of $500,000 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia”.
