ZAMBIA GUNNING FOR NIGERIA

Zambia takes Nigeria in the Russia 2018 World cup Qualifier on Sunday 9th October 2016. It’s a game that Zambians will be eagerly waiting to watch especially after the country failed to make it to Gabon 2017 AFCON. If there is anything that can bring a smile back to the followers of the game in Zambia is gunning this one and grabbing three points off Nigeria.

Bwezani looks back to history line of Nigeria Vs Zambia.

Officially games played are 17 with Nigeria winning 6, Zambia winning 5 and both counting on 6 draws.

The first game dates back to 1973 for the 1974 AFCON tournament and Zambia beat Nigeria 5-1, but in that Same year Nigeria beat Zambia 3-2.

The teams would then meet at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations where  the teams teams would play to a goalless draw.

In 1981 Zambia would take advantage of a International Friendly beat Nigeria for the second time with a 3-0 score line and the same score line would repeat its self during the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations. That would be the third victory that Chipolopolo which was called KK 11 would inflict on the Super Eagles.

Three years would pass before the two teams would meet again for the 1986 AFCON qualifier and they would play to a goal less draw in 1985 in Nigeria and Zambia would continue with their good run against Nigeria in a game played in the same year at Independence Stadium via a 1-0 victory.

That would briefly end the dominance of Zambia on Nigeria.

It would then be the chance of Nigeria after five years in 1990 to start a winning trek against the Chipolopolo , starting with a 2-0 victory at the 1990 AFCON, a famous 2-1 victory in 1994 which Nigeria denied Zambia their first AFCON Title after ELijah Litana open the scoring in the final.

The last victory that Zambia would remember against Nigeria would then come in 1997 which was an international Friendly.

That would be the last victory and after that, Zambia would play Nigeria 6 times without recording a victory

1997 Zambia 0-0 Nigeria

2001 Nigeria 1-0 Zambia

2001 Zambia 1-1 Nigeria

2010 Zambia 0-0 Nigeria

2011 Nigeria 2-0 Zambia

2013 Zambia 1-1 Nigeria

Sunday the teams meet for the 18th time with both teams with prospects of missing out on the 2017 AFCON and both teams having serious changes to the technical bench.

It’s a big game and the team which will tick on match day will win the encounter. In Zambia there is a lot of expectation from Fans and different stakeholders on how Wedson Nyirenda who takes over from George Lwandamina will approach this  encounter. It’s a big one.

Should Zambia beat Nigeria all statistics of the games played will be equal, wins 6, draws, 6 and losses 6 but if its Nigeria getting the three points then they dominance will continue!!!!!

Bwezani Mbewe

Follower of the Zambian game!!!!!