The Chipolopolo of Zambia have put themselves in a good position to challenge for the sole world cup ticket available to the Group B teams in the African zone.
Teenager Patson Daka kept Zambia’s World Cup hopes alive with a close-range second-half strike as they upset Algeria 1-0 away in their qualifier on Tuesday.
It was Zambia’s second win in four days over Algeria, who reached the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but have been eliminated from the race to play in Russia next year.
Zambia are in second place three points behind Nigeria and must beat the group leaders next month to have a realistic chance of reaching their first World Cup finals.
The 18-year-old Daka burst through after a fortunate ricochet off the home defence as they attempted to block Augustine Mulenga’s attempted pass in the 67th minute.
Algeria remained bottom on one point after four games as their fortunes continued to plummet.
Their African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez had his first half penalty saved by Kennedy Mweene and his Leicester City team mate Islam Slimani missed a sitter with a back post header in the 77th moments after coming on as a substitute.
Nigeria will play host to Zambia on October 7, 2017, to in an encounter that will determine who represents Africa in that group.
World Cup Qualifiers: Zambia Set To Challenge Nigeria Till Final Day
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