BREAKING: Iwobi late strike sends Nigeria into Russia 2018 World Cup

Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd minute to secure
the World Cup ticket for Nigeria
- The goal was his second international goal for
Nigeria
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for
the 2018 World Cup after a 1-0 win over
Zambia on Saturday, October 7, at the
Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
Arsenal star Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd
minute few minutes after coming in to give
Nigeria all three points that take them to 13
points on the log and against the reach of
Zambia who have 7 points.
The victory means Nigeria last game in the
group against Algeria will be just for mere
formality as the Super Eagles have booked
their place in Russia and will be making their
sixth appearance at the tournament.
Iwobi with Dalung and Governor Udom. Photo:
Emmanuel Osodi
Read our live coverage of the game below
90+3: FULL TIME: Nigeria 1 - 0 Zambia. The
Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the
2018 World Cup. It is celebration all the way
in Uyo.
Celebration in Uyo. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
Mikel leads the celebration in Uyo. Photo: Emmanuel
Osodi
Mikel thrown up to the sky as Nigeria celebrate.
Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
90+3' Half chance! Wilfred Ndidi fires wide
after been set up by Moses. He seems to have
picked up a hamstring as he stretched out.
90+1' Three minutes of added time and
yellow card to Chigangdu for a foul on
Troost-Ekong.
90' BIG CHANCE! Ola Aina crosses well into
the box but Moses can't find the final touch to
slot home. So close!
89' Into the final minute of regular time.
Nigeria are on the brink of their sixth World
Cup appearance.
87' SUB for Zambia! Chigangdu IN, Mwengu
OUT
85' CHANCE! Nice build up play from Nigeria.
Mikel picks out Iwobi who finds Moses but his
strike flies high over the bar.
84' OFFSIDE! A brilliant ball from Mikel picks
out Iwobi but the linesman flag is up for
offside.
81' SUB for Nigeria! Echiejile OUT, Ola Aina
IN. The Chelsea loanee makes his debut for
Nigeria.
80' Echiejile is down with an injury. It looks
to be bad for him.
78' SUB for Zambia' Sakala OUT, Shonga IN.
77' The fans are loving Alex Iwobi and
chanting his name. He has really changed the
game for Nigeria.
75' MORE ON THE GOAL! Victor Moses does
well to find Shehu Abdullahi on the right
flank who crosses for Iwobi to side-foot
home. A very good goal. It was his second
international goal for Nigeria.
Iwobi late strike sends Nigeria into Russia 2018 World
Cup
73' GOALLLLLL!!!! Iwobi scores from close
range.
71' WHAT A CHANCE! Nigeria counter after a
corner kick from Zambia. Iwobi does well to
keep the ball in and drive forward. He waits
for support which he gets from Moses, and
releases the pass, Moses spreads it to Ighalo
who is in a good position to strike but he
delays his effort and he is dispossessed.
68' A corner is taken for Zambia but the ball
rolls out of play for a Nigeria throw-in.
66' SUB for Nigeria! Moses Simon OUT, Alex
Iwobi IN.
64' YELLOW CARD! Shehu Abdullahi booked
for a foul on Mwepu. He becomes the second
Nigerian player to be booked in this game.
62' Echiejile with an awful cross to the
disgust of the fans. Nigeria not getting their
moves right.
58' Victor Moses swings in another corner but
it is easily dealt with. His deliveries and final
balls have been poor.
Nigerian fans. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
57' BIG CHANCE! Ndidi with a powerful
header from a set-piece but Mweene does
well to keep out as the ball looked to be
making his way into the net. WHAT A
CHANCE!
56' YELLOW CARD! Mtonga goes into the
book for a foul on Mikel.
54' Shehu Abdullahi is cautioned for a silly
tackle. He is really lucky not to be booked.
53' HALF CHANCE! Mwepu fires well off
target after a great turn.
51' SUB for Zambia! Mbewe IN, Lungu OUT
50' HALF CHANCE! Ndidi heads wide from a
set-piece.
47' HALF CHANCE! Moses with a deep cross
which is met by Leon Balogun but his header
is too weak to beat Mweene.
46' Zambia get the second half underway. It is
down to another 45 minutes.
45+2' HALF TIME: Nigeria 0-0 Zambia. It was
a very exciting and action packed first half
but also tension soaked.
Mikel charges the lad after a goalless first half against
Zambia
45+1' Two minutes of added time to be
played in the first half.
45' CHANCE! Ighalo does his trademark Iggy
chop to beat his marker, he crosses down the
right, but Moses Simon can't keep his
acrobatic shot down and it goes over for a
goal kick. He gets a thumbs up from his
captain Mikel for his effort.
43' CHANCE! Moses picks out Ighalo after a
great run but the striker hurriedly takes a
shot which sails high as he is being closed
down.
39' HALF CHANCE! Mikel's smashes a volley
well wide.
37' WOOD WORK! N'gonga's shot is parried
onto the post by Ezenwa and rolls out for a
corner. From the corner, Nigeria clear their
lines. That was so close!
35' YELLOW CARD' Newly introduced Mikel
Agu is booked for a silly foul. He needs to
keep his head down.
Mikel Agu is booked
33' Mikel drives forward and his clipped in a
dangerous position but the Referee waves
play on to the disgust of the fans in Uyo.
31' BIG CHANCE! Mulenga with an
opportunity after bullying Balogun to the ball
but he fires well over the ball. Still Nigeria 0 -
0 Zambia.
31' CHANCE! Nigeria have their first shot on
target as Moses Simon cuts in and fires low to
Mweena's right but the experienced
goalkeeper was up to the task.
30' Early substitution for Nigeria. Injured
Onazi OUT, Mikel Agu IN.
25' Rohr looking troubled as Onazi is
stretched out of the pitch due to an injury. It
does not look like he is going to continue this
game.
23' OFFSIDE! Zambia have the ball in the
back of the net but the linesman flag is up for
offside. It was a very close call as Mulenga
slotted home.
Mulenga's chance ruled out for offside
19' Victor Moses who has been Nigeria's best
player on the field so far wins a corner kick.
He takes it but Zambia clear their lines.
17' WHAT A CHANCE! Moses with a brilliant
cross in the right flank but Ighalo fails to
make contact from the six yard box. He was
slow to react. Big chance gone begging for
Nigeria.
15' HALF CHANCE! Zambia with their first
shot on goal. Fashion Sakala fires wide after
Nigeria gave away the ball. The Zambia no 10
had options in the box but decided to go all
on his own.
13' Mtonga shows brilliant skills to beat Leon
Balogun in the right flank but his cross is too
deep and causes no danger for Ezenwa in
goal for Nigeria.
9' Zambia struggle to deal with a long throw
from Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi. However, the
Chipolopolo stars finally deal with the danger
with Mikel lurking in the six yard box to
pounce on any mistake.
6' Moses Simon does well to win a corner
kick for Nigeria. From the resulting set-piece
Mweene gathers easily from a Victor Moses
cross. Both teams playing with so much
caution.
4' Zambia win a corner but Nigeria easily
deal with the danger.
2' HALF CHANCE! Shehu crosses from the
right but Mweene gathers easily for Zambia
as Ighalo was getting ready to pounce on the
loose ball.
1' Nigeria get this World Cup qualifier
underway. The Super Eagles are on their
traditional green jersey while the Zambians
have their orange and red away jersey on.
Here is how both teams line up:
Nigeria starting XI: 1. Ikechukwu Ezenwa, 3.
Elderson Echiejile, 4. Wilfred Ndidi, 5. Leon
Balogun, 6. William Troost-Ekong, 9. Odion
Ighalo, 10. John Obi Mikel (C), 11. Victor
Moses, 12. Abdullahi Shehu, 15. Moses Simon,
17. Ogenyi Onazi
Zambia starting XI: 1. Kennedy Mweene GK
(C), 2.Simon Silwimba, 3.Fackson Kapumbu,
4.Ziyo Tembo, 5.Stophila Sunzu, 6.Kondwani
Mtonga, 7.Enock Mwepu, 8.Chisamba Lungu,
9.Augustin Mulenga, 10.Fashion Sakala,
11.Alex N'gonga
Read our preview of the game below
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, who are just one
win away from the 2018 World Cup in
Russia, face the Chipolopolo stars of Zambia
on Saturday, October 7, at the Godswill
Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria got off to a bright start in their 2018
World Cup qualifying campaign on October 9
last year when they defeated Zambia 2-1 to
pick up their first ever away win against the
Chipolopolo stars in a competitive game.
The Super Eagles thereafter went on to
maintain their unbeaten run in the
qualifying series but face a tough test today
against the Zambians who are just three
points behind them in Group B.

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