Friday 7 October 2016

Mikel Obi: 'I am now matured to lead the Super Eagles', ahead of Zambia clash


Ahead of the all important Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying match away at Zambia, Super Eagles of Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has said he now feels more matured to lead the Super Eagles team.  
“Sometimes when you are young, you make mistakes but the more you grow up, the more
you know the things that are more important.
“I think that I am beginning to know where I come from and that is more important than anything.
“I have more responsibility now to lead the country and the team; I think that is what I am doing right now because I enjoy every bit of it,” he said.
The 29-year-old Chelsea midfielder said that the Eagles would use the opportunity of the World Cup qualifying matches to make up for not qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for two consecutive times.

Nigeria has never beaten Zambia at their home soil.
In fact, Nigeria has won six of 16 previous matches (None of the 16 previous clashes was a World Cup qualifying match) with Zambia, drawing five and losing five. Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-1 to win a memorable Africa Cup of Nations final in Tunis in 1994. The Eagles are expected to depart Abuja for Ndola on Saturday for the crunchy tie against Chipolopolo on Sunday.
The team will host Algeria on November 12 and later Cameroon before three more games next year in the qualifying matches.
After playing Zambia away on Sunday, the Eagles will host Algeria on November 12 before four more games next year.

Past meetings between Nigeria and Zambia
15 July 1973: Zambia 5 Nigeria 1 (Lusaka, AFCON Qualifier)
29 July 1973: Nigeria 3 Zambia 2 (Lagos, AFCON Qualifier)
10 March 1978: Zambia 0 Nigeria 0 (Accra, Africa Cup of Nations)
25 July 1981: Zambia 3 Nigeria 0 (Lusaka, International friendly)
13 March 1982: Nigeria 0 Zambia 3 (Benghazi, AFCON)
10 August 1985: Nigeria 0 Zambia 0 (Lagos, AFCON Qualifier)
18 August 1985: Zambia 1 Nigeria 0 (Lusaka, AFCON Qualifier)
12 March 1990: Nigeria 2 Zambia 0 (Annaba, AFCON)
10 April 1994: Nigeria 2 Zambia 1 (Tunis, AFCON final)
15 December 1997: Zambia 2 Nigeria 0 (Lusaka, International friendly)
17 December 1997: Zambia 0 Nigeria 0 (Kitwe, International friendly)
13 January 2001: Nigeria 1 Zambia 0 (Lagos, AFCON Qualifier)
24 March 2001: Zambia 1 Nigeria 1 (Chingola, AFCON Qualifier)
25 January 2010: Zambia 0 Nigeria 0 (Lubango, AFCON. Nigeria won 5-4 on penalties)
15 November 2011: Nigeria 2 Zambia 0 (Kaduna, International friendly)
25 January 2013: Zambia 1 Nigeria 1 (Nelspruit, AFCON)



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