Akanni Seyi
Alex Iwobi's 73rd minute goal proved to be the difference between Nigeria and aspiring Chipolopolo of Zambia enroute Russia.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria became the first African national team to qualify for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria could not unlock the defense of the visitors in first half but Odion Ighalo and captain Mikel Obi should have sent the host forward but their efforts were diverted outwards in an attempt to volley in.
Deep into second half, Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi was introduced and he made series of runs to unsettle Zambia defense, moment of respite finally came to the thousands spectators when Victor Moses sets up Sheu Abdullahi who in turn whips in diagonally to locate unmarked Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi who made no mistake to bury a stunning effort past helpless Kennedy Mweene.
Zambians deployed a long range tactics to rattle the defense of Nigeria Super Eagles but the pairing of Ekong and Balogun proved too steel for the visitor to break.
The African giants qualified on Saturday evening after defeating visitors Zambia 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
With the result, the Super Eagles are not mandated to win their last game against Algeria on the 6th of November in the North African Nation as it is now a dead rubber.
The Super Eagles qualified with 13 points from Group B with Zambia having 7 points, Cameroon with 6 and Algeria bottom with 1 point.
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