Assessing Super Eagles and Chipolopolo

The Super Eagles will battle the Chipolopolo in a signature fixture that will determine a ticket to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Here are some interesting clues before the matchup on Saturday inside the magnificent Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state;Nigeria.

● Zambia will be playing for an outright victory of with two goals or more to stand a chance of qualifying on final matchday and erase head to head formula out of the equation.

● Zanaco winger, Augustine Mulenga was a standout player for Zambia in their two victories over Algeria as he provided three out of the four goals the 2012 African Champions netted against the North Africans.

● Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel both scored in the home matches against Algeria and Cameroon,Mikel was infact a provider in both.Will they score again?

● Zambia started with a defeat against Nigeria, drew 1-1 with Cameroon before beating the Desert Foxes of Algeria twice which means that they are growing game after game as the three points they lost in their opener is still what separates them and Nigeria.

● The two teams have gone on to score in all matches while they can both only boast of a Cleansheet each.

● Nigeria always lead 2-0 in the first 45 minutes except in their last match away in Cameroon and always concede in the second half except in the home match against Cameroon which ended 4-0 in their favour while the Super Eagles are yet to concede in the first 45 minutes or trail.

● Nigeria has featured three different Goalkeepers(Carl Ikeme,Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa) more than any other team in the Group.

● Zambia have four different scorers in the qualifiers(Collins Mbesuma×2,Brian Mwila×2,Enoch Mwepu and Patson Daka) with only Patson Daka and Enoch Mwepu in the squad for this match.

● Nigeria have six different scorers in the qualifiers(Victor Moses×3,John Obi Mikel×2,Kelechi Iheanacho×2,Moses Simon,Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi) and all of them are available for the match.

● Zambia scored first in their two previous away matches against Cameroon(1-1) and Algeria(0-1).