2022 World Cup: Nigeria wins with authority, Zambia also wins

The Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho, on May 15, 2021 with the Leicester shirt and the flag of his country.

AP - Kirsty Wigglesworth

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

3 min

The Super Eagles made their debut in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers by winning against Liberia on Friday (2-0) in Group C. Kelechi Iheanacho scored both Nigerian goals.

On the move, Zambia defeated Mauritania (2-1) in Group B.

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Present in six of the last seven finals of the

World Cup

(from 1994 to 2018, with a failure on the 2006 edition), the Nigerians are logically favorites in the race for first place in Group C, where they fell. with Cape Verde, the Central African Republic and Liberia.

And after the draw between the Cape Verdeans and the Central Africans on Wednesday, Gernot Rohr's men took control of the group by dominating the Liberians this Friday, September 3.

Aligned at the forefront with the support of Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen on the wings, Kelechi Iheanacho made the difference in the first act. The Leicester City striker opened the scoring on a two-handed corner: not threatened, he had time to place a powerful shot from the left in the window (22nd). And just before the break, Iheanacho made the break on a long touch that Liberia could not push back. Alex Iwobi extended the trajectory of the ball with his head and the No. 14, in the box, beat a second time the goalkeeper Ashley Williams in pivot (44th).

Nigeria takes the lead of Group C with this final victory (three points), ahead of Cape Verde and the Central African Republic (1 point) and Liberia (0 point).

Next meetings: Liberia-Central African Republic on September 6 in Monrovia, Cape Verde-Nigeria on September 7 in Mindelo.

Zambia hold their own away against Mauritania

In Group B, Zambia was initially calm in Nouakchott before experiencing a tense end of the match against Mauritania.

For Beston Chambeshi's players, the game started off in the best possible way when Enock Mwepu opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

The Mauritanians had failed to free themselves on a Zambian free-kick, and the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder took the opportunity to score with a powerful shot from the right.

After the break, it was Patrice Mumba who converted the domination of the visitors by concluding a beautiful collective movement for three.

Launched by Patson Daka, Solomon Sakala was well overwhelmed and served on a plateau No. 10 for the 2-0 (57th).

But Mauritanian Niass Amadou, who came into play for a few seconds, revived his team by recovering a bell ball from Mohamed Yali Dellahi and adjusting the goalkeeper (69th).

In the remaining 20 minutes, the Mourabitounes tried everything to snatch the equalizer, but the Chipolopolo held on.

Pending the match between Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea, this September 3, Zambia takes the lead of Group B. On the second day, the Zambians will welcome the Tunisians on September 7 in Ndola, while Mauritania will travel to Guinea equatorial, still on September 7, in Malabo.

► To (re) read: 2022 World Cup: Africa qualifying schedule and results

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  • Sports

  • Soccer

  • World Cup 2022

  • Nigeria

  • Zambia

  • Liberia

  • Mauritania