As we count down to Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo, Soka25east.com takes a look at some of the key players from both sides.
Nigeria being the home side are coming into this fixture as favourites and packed with depth in each department.
Gernot Rohr has the luxury of picking from a bucket full of options to ensure the Super Eagles make it to Russia 2018.
We take a look at some of the players that the German will look to ensure they wrap up qualification against Zambia.
NIGERIA KEY PLAYERS
1.Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Ezenwa earned his two international caps for the Super Eagles against Cameroon in Uyo and Yaounde last month.The 29-year old has been impressive in the absence of Daniel Akpeyi and will look to seal another starting berth in goal.
2. Leon Balogun The 29 year Nigerian will be one of the key men in this encounter. The Mainz 05 defender has 8 caps for Nigeria and will look to put in a good shift against the Zambians.
3. William Troost-Ekong
An intelligent defender, with 14 international caps for the Super Eagles. His strength will be key to disrupt any attack from the Zambians.
4. John Obi Mikel
The combative midfielder is the leader of this Nigeria squad and will always look to play in the spaces between the defense and the attack. With his impressive pass accuracy, Mikel will also look to get himself among the goals.
5. Victor Moses Blessed with blistering pace and skill, Victor Moses has the ability to beat any defender in the World and will definitely give the Zambian team a hard time through out the match. The Chelsea man missed the first leg in Ndola and his presence could expose the Zambian team who seem to be weak in the left back position.Moses is Nigeria’s top scorer with 3 goals so far in the qualifiers.
6. Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo is an intimidating figure upfront. Know for his pace, power and an eye for goal the former Watford man who now plays for Chinese club Changchun Yatai F.C. is another key player for this Nigerian team.
7. Alex Iwobi The Arsenal forward was among the goals in Ndola when the two sides met in the first leg and he could prove to be a good option for the Super Eagles.
ZAMBIA KEY PLAYERS
Wedson Nyirenda’s boys come into this fixture as underdogs but their recent back to back wins against Algeria has sent a lot of Jitters in the Nigerian camp.
The Zambian camp have been hit with injury setbacks, the key points being Brian Mwila who plays for Platinum Stars in the PSL.
The big man scored a brace against Algeria in Lusaka and has been absent ever since. However, the Zambians still have the ammunition to power past the much more fancied Nigerian side.
1. Kennedy Mweene
The veteran goalkeeper knows what it takes to play at the highest level having won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia. The 32 year old Skipper has a massive 111 senior caps with 2 goals for the Chipolopolo. He made some impressive saves against the Algerians in that 1-0 away victory.
2. Stophila Sunzu
Another player who has an Afcon winners Medal to his name scoring the winning penalty in the shoot out against Ivory Coast. The tall figure of Sunzu will be needed again in Uyo if Zambia are to cause an upset.
3. Enock Mwepu
The latest addition to the senior Chipolopolo side is U-20 midfield Dynamo Enock Mwepu. Nicknamed the “Computer”, Mwepu in his 2 appearances for the Chipolopolo has already scored a goal showing that his exploits with the junior Chipolopolo at the U-20 World Cup in Korea were not a one time thing having led his side to a quarter final finish.
4. Augustine Mulenga The Zanaco attacking winger has impressed so far in the Qualifiers. It is his three assists led to Algeria’s downfall in both encounters and he could torment the Nigerians in Uyo.
5. Kondwani Mtonga
Expect Kondwani Mtonga to be a key figure in the Zambian midfield. The Zesco United man is not the quickest but has the ability to dominate his opponents.
6. Chisamba Lungu
A fans’ favorite Chisamba Lungu was also part of the 2012 Afcon winning team and his vast experience could be the defining factor for the Chipolopolo.
7. Patson Daka
The FC Liefering forward scored the winner in Algeria. A silent Assassin, and has the ability to creep in behind any defensive line. Daka was part of the Zambia U-20 side in Korea and reintegrated back into the Chipolopolo side by Nyirenda in the first leg against Algeria in Lusaka.
MATCH DETAILS
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Zambia takes place on Saturday 7 October 2017 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo with kick off slated for 18:00 CAT