Zambia, Nigeria meet in 1st ‘group of death’ clash News

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Zambia, Nigeria meet in 1st ‘group of death’ clash

By Daily Sports on October 9, 2016

Zambia and Nigeria will get Group B in Africa’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers underway when they meet in Ndola on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 14h30 CAT.

The teams enjoyed relatively comfortable aggregate wins over Sudan and Swaziland respectively in the previous round of qualifying, but neither will be expecting anything straightforward in this ‘group of death’ which also includes Cameroon and Algeria.

Zambia’s Chipolopolo is the only side in the quartet which has never played at the World Cup finals before, while the Super Eagles of Nigeria are targeting a sixth appearance at the global showpiece.

The Southern Africans come into the clash with a new coach in charge after Wedson Nyirenda was hired to replace Zesco United manager George Lwandamina. The new man says he is excited by the team spirit he has seen in the squad ahead of their clash with Nigeria.

“I am happy with the way the boys are applying themselves in training, the morale in the team and the brotherhood on and off the pitch. We are looking set for better things,” said Nyirenda.

Nigeria also have a relatively new man in charge, with Gernot Rohr set for just his second competitive match at the helm of the Super Eagles this weekend. His first was a 1-0 win over Tanzania last month to conclude their failed 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The German, whose title with the national team is ‘technical advisor’, believes a solid defence will be key in this away clash, while also picking out Zambia’s danger men.

“I know of Rainford Kalaba, who has been a consistent scorer for Zambia, and also Stopila Sunzu, who plays for Lille in France,” said Rohr in the build-up to the game.

“But the key to all this is a solid defence line which we have started from the first game against Tanzania.”

The other Group B match this weekend sees Algeria host Cameroon in Blida on Sunday, October 9. (mtnfootball.com)

•Photo shows Zambia and Nigeria

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 9, 2016