CAF U-23: Nigeria thrashes Zambia 3-1, to face South Africa next

Harry Awurumibe, Abuja.

Two second half goals from overseas-import, Kelechi Nwakali and Taiwo Awoniyi in the 65^th and 90+3rd minutes as well as Orji Okonkwo’s 16^th minute equalizer gifted Nigeria’s U-23 football team a deserved 3-1 victory over Zambia in the on-going CAF U-23 AFCON in Egypt.

Zambia drew the first blood when striker, Paschal Daka beat Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Adamu Abubakar in the 12^th minute of the highly contested match which both countries needed badly to stay in contention for a Tokyo 2020 Olympics ticket.

Nigeria’s U-23 team Head Coach, Imama Amapakabo had relied on the foreign-based players like the top performers today to even qualify for the U-23 AFCON in Egypt and he ensured that he made good use of them to eke out a win againdt a dangerous opponents like Zambia.

Nigeria had three days ago lost the first group match to Ivory Coast by a lone goal while Zambia and South Africa played out a barren draw on their own tie hence both wanted to win the second game in the group to stay in contention for qualification.

But with the victory today over Zambia, Nigeria will approach the last group match against South Africa with all seriousness it deserves as the South Africans who beat Ivory Coast 1-0 earlier today will not be easy opponents.