2018 FIFA WC qualifier: 'Nigeria won't underrate Zambia in Uyo,' pledges Super Eagles coach

04 Octobre 2017

UYO,  Nigeria, October 4 (Infosplusgabon) - With two matches left in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa Zone qualifying series, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are on top of Group B with an impressive 10 points from four matches against  their closest challenger, Chipolopolo of Zambia, on  seven points.

Incidentally, both sides would meet in the penultimate round of matches this weekend at the Uyo International Stadium in what should be an interesting  contest.

The Super Eagles had previously thrashed other contenders at the same venue, including a 3-1 win against Algeria as well as the 4-0 white-wash of African champions, Cameroon.

Nevertheless,  Nigeria’s Franco-German trainer, Gernot Rohr, has admitted that their southern African visitors would not be a piece of the cake for the West Africans, adding that his players will gird their loins against the Chipolopolo.

“I can't predict the score line against Zambia because it would not be an easy match,” the 64-year-old Rohr, who had previously worked in Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso and Tunisia, told CAFOnline.com

“Zambia can be dangerous because they also have a good team; I don't think it would be a 4-0 win for us but the most important thing for us is to win even if it's by one or two goal difference,” added Rohr.

Speaking further, Rohr  said the Chipolopolo would not be underrated despite Nigeria’s impressive record against Zambia at international level after winning seven out of their past 17 matches plus the 2-1 away win in Ndola last October as well as five draws and five losses  in other encounters.

“I have seen a lot of videos of the Zambian  team and I must confess they are a very good side much better than the team we played last October but we are not afraid,” Rohr reassured.“ We only have to give them respect but we won't make the mistake  Algeria made by underrating Zambia; they have quick strikers but we shall be ready for them.”

Nigeria and Zambia have met 17 times since 1973. Nigeria won 7 times and Zambia 5 times, with both teams drawing 5 times.

NIGERIA vs ZAMBIA HEAD-TO-HEAD is as follows:-

DATE                    RESULT                             COMPETITION

1:15-07-1973     Zambia 5-1 Nigeria         AFCON Qualifier, Lusaka.

2:29-07-1973     Nigeria 3-2 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier Lagos.

3:10-03-1978     Zambia 0-0 Nigeria         AFCON , Accra.

4:25-07-1981     Zambia 3-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Lusaka.

5:13-03-1982     Nigeria 0-3 Zambia         AFCON, Benghazi.

6:10-08-1985     Nigeria 0-0 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier, Lagos.

7:18-08-1985     Zambia 1-0 Nigeria         AFCON Qualifier, Lusaka.

8:12-03-1990     Nigeria 2-0 Zambia         AFCON, Annaba.

9:10-04-1994     Nigeria 2-1 Zambia         AFCON Final, Tunis.

10:15-12-1997   Zambia 2-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Lusaka.

11:17-12-1997   Zambia 0-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Kitwe.

12:13-01-2001   Nigeria 1-0 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier, Lagos.

13:24-03-2001   Zambia 1-1Nigeria          AFCON Qualifier; Chingola.

14:25-01-2010   Zambia 0-0(4-5pen)  Nigeria   AFCON Q/ Finals, Lubango.

15:15-11-2011   Nigeria 2-0 Zambia         International friendly, Kaduna.

16:25-01-2013   Zambia 1-1 Nigeria         AFCON, Nelspruit.

17:09-10-2016   Zambia 1-2 Nigeria         World Cup Qualifier, Ndola.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/IEA./IEC/GABON 2017

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