Nigeria becomes first African nation to qualify for World Cup as Eagles beat Zambia 1-0 in Uyo

NIGERIA has become the first African Nation to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia after the Super Eagles beat Zambia's Copper Bullets 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo in their penultimate game.

In what was a rather scrappy match, the Eagle managed to secure the necessary victory that gives them a total tally of 13 point with a game to spare. Zambia's Chipolopo are second in the group with seven points, while Cameroon's Indomitable Lions have six points and Algeria's Desert Foxes prop up the table with a sole point.

While Nigeria was playing, Cameroon beat Algeria 2-0 in Yaounde but the game was irrelevant in terms of qualification as both sides had already been eliminated. Nigeria's final match will be away to Algeria on November 6 but it will be academic now as whatever happens, none of the teams in the group can catch the Eagles, who have booked their World Cup ticket.

Thanks to a 73rd minute goal from Arsenal's Alex Iwobi, who came on as a second half substitute, the Eagles managed to see of a stubborn Zambian side. Highly physical and full or energy, the Zambians ran and ran and ran for 90 minutes, put their foot into every tackle and created a few scares with their robust play.

Several times during the game, the Zambians threatened to get behind the Eagles' defence but the back four of Shehu Abdullahi, William Ekong, Leon Balogun and Elderson Echiejile held firm. In what was a real war, the Eagles got roughed up a bit with Ogenyi Onazi and Echiejile have to leave the field due to injuries, to be replaced with Mikel Agu and Ola Aina respectively.

Tactically, the only change head coach Gernot Rohr had to make was replacing Simon Moses with Iwobi in the 66th minute and this yielded immediate dividends. Starting off the move that led to the goal, Iwobi fed the ball to skipper Mikel Obi, who passed it out wide, whose low cross into the penalty area was side-footed him by the Arsenal man.

After taking the lead, the Eagles sat back and defended as the Zambians came forward looking for an equaliser and on a few occasions the Eagles had the chance to finish off the match on the counter attack. Victor Moses in particular had a glorious chance to finish the Zambians off in the final minutes but he snatched at his shot, sending it wide.

In the end, a second goal was not necessary as the Eagles were able to see out the match by holding on to their one goal lead. Nigeria. however, played the last minute of injury time with 10 men as Wilfred Ndidi had to be stretchered off and having made all three substitutions, Mr Rohr could not replace him.

Line-up

Ikechukwu Ezenwa

Shehu Abdullahi

Elderson Echiejile (Ola Aina)

William Ekong

Leon Balogun

Ogenyi Onazi (Mikel Agu)

Wilfred Ndidi

Mikel Obi

Simon Moses (Alex Iwobi)

Odion Ighalo

Victor Moses