| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 0. Kalu Uche (9’) | |
| 15. Ikechukwu Uche (90 + 2’) |
Keshi notches first Eagles win
Zambia skipper Chris Katongo (left) is tackled by Dele Adeleye Tuesday in Kaduna
The Uche brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu, scored in either half of an exciting clash dominated by the visiting Chipolopolo, who controlled the midfield with TP Mazembe star Rainford Kalaba really catching the eye.
At a time in the game, Zambia enjoyed 65% of the possession as the Nigerian defence, which looked very confident and organised at the weekend against Botswana, was ran ragged by the nimble-footed Zambians for most part of this encounter.
There were Nigeria debuts for Ugo Ukah and NPL hotshot Jude Aneke, who incidentally features for local club Kaduna United.
Kalu Uche opened scoring after just nine minutes. Fengor Ogude picked out speedster Ahmed Musa, who cut back for the older Uche to stab home into an opening net.
However, this goal seemed to galvanise the Zambians instead as they attacked their opponents ceaselessly.
The impressive Kalaba’s shot from outside the box beat goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in the 37th minute, but it also missed its mark to the relief of the full house at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
This was just moments after an audacious effort by Emmanuel Emenike at the other end of the pitch would have extended his team’s lead, but for the alertness of goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Zambia made several changes going into the second half with the likes of Clifford Mulenga, Isaac Chansa and James Chamanga joining the fray.
They constantly asked questions of the Joseph Yobo-led defence but some how could not find the back of the net.
Chamanga, Chris Kotongo and the ever-lively Kalaba all had chances to draw Zambia level, but failed to do so.
And just when it seemed that the game would end with a lone goal victory for Nigeria, Ikechukwu Uche stepped up to deal a big blow to Chipolopolo, when he combined well around the vital area before he fired a low shot past a diving Mweene.
@SAMSAM, you called it HEART-ATTACK football abi? Good! You want us to play this kind of football abi? Na me you wan kill, abi? Abeg o, let us play attacking football o. I no wan die now o. There are still numerous nations cup and world cup competitions to enjoy o.
However, there's a LOT OF WORK to be done on this SE team. All the Zambians needed in that match was just a little bit of confidence in front of goal and had that been the case, we wouldn't be saying what we are saying right now. We might not agree with @KokoMaster but the truth is the goals were more of individual ingenuity.
Siasia (he's my man though) is now history. Keshi is here now. We just must wish him well otherwise HEART-ATTACK football will be the order of the day. @SAMSAM abeg o.
We need to build a strong Midfield, Nigeria have more than enough strikers. I think we only took 3 real midfielders to the world cup which is crazy.
England played what you called heart attack football and beat spain 3 days ago, football is based on result and results are acheived by tactical alertness. if siasia had played this kind of game against Guinea, we would have been in the ANC. with the present crop of players we have @ the moment we can not play like spain nor barcelona, we don't have such players. any good coach ll only approach a game based on the abilities of his players. gone are the days of Jay Jay and Kanu when we had ball players. And nobody should compare Amodu with Siasia, in terms of record and acheivement, Amodu is far greater than siasia, he had qualified us to 2 ANC and 2 World cups with 3 ANC bronze medals and other club and continental laurels, till date he is greater to siasia. But to me it is immaterial now, lets support the guy in charge and judge him at the end if he fails like siasia to qualify us to major tournament or performs better. Germany re one of the most succesful team in the world but don't play like brazil, and Cameroun one of the most succesful in Africa with same pattern, simply because they make tactical use of their players abilities, not trying to play entertaining football when we have players suited for a different style. Nigeria won today and that is what matters and history only remembers result. the world only remembers italy won us @ 94 but not that we entertained more. WELL DONE GUYS.
I want to see the highlights!
@Koko Master, I know you can never see anything good in the present coaching crew because your brother Siasia is no more in control.
{message}