Nigeria are poised to secure their place in next year’s Fifa World Cup with a victory over Zambia at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
The Gernot Rohr’s led team are three points clear at the top of Group B with two games to go, indicating that victory or at least a draw would push them over the line with a game to spare.
For the Chipolopolo – who are Super Eagles’ nearest rival – a shock win at the ‘Nest of Champions’ would offer them a lifeline to qualify for their maiden World Cup.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s manager, Rohr has invited Alex Iwobi and Daniel Akpeyi who missed out of Cameroon game owing to injury.
Plateau United’s Dele Ajiboye takes the place of Dele Alampasu while Tyronne Ebuehi was excused for Uche Agbo who features for Standard Liege in Gernot Rohr’s squad.
There are slight concerns over Ahmed Musa’s form, but he is likely to start from the bench against the Chipolopolo.
Potential starting XI: Ezenwa; Echiejile, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi; Mikel, Onazi, Ndidi, Moses; Iwobi, Ighalo
Zambia will rely heavily on the ability and experience of Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene as they look to upset the hosts at Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Going forward they are able to call upon the services of Spartak Moscow’s Fashion Sakala and Red Bull Salzburg’s Patson Daka.
Although Edward Chilufya, Brian Mwila and Emmanuel Banda are out of this encounter owing to contrasting reasons, Wedson Nyirenda will be hoping to get the best from his available players.
Potential starting XI: Mweene, Sunzu, Tembo, Kapumbu, Silwimba, Mtonga, Mwepu, Mulenga, Mbewe, Shonga, Daka
