Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets kick-started their campaign at the African U-17 Championship in Algeria on a winning note after seeing off Zambia 1-0 in their opening match.
Despite a late penalty miss by Light Eke, the Golden Eaglets managed to come out with all three points to move top of Group B.
Abubakar Abdullahi thought he had scored the opener after 13 minutes but he was flagged offside, while Tochukwu Ogbabido had a rasping shot from the edge of the box go inches over
Six minutes to the break, the Nigerians had a glorious chance when Hope Linus sent skipper Precious Williams through on goal with a brilliant through ball, but the Zambian keeper’s trailing leg deflected the ball against the upright.
Three minutes on the turn Zambia were also denied by the woodwork, this time Emmanuel Mwanza’s curling effort coming off against the crossbar.
In the second half, Zambia were better off and commanded more of the possession. They had a good chance in the 71st minute when substitute Obvious Mwaliteta sent Stainly Nyamikwe through on goal, but the Katter saw his effort well saved by the keeper.
Five minutes on the turn though, Zambia found themselves trailing. Daniel was left isolated inside the box after the ball was recycled in from a cleared corner, and the forward made no mistake beating the keeper.
They should have scored the second in the 89th minute from the penalty spot after Abubakar Abdullahi was brought down inside the box, but substitute Eke saw his tame penalty saved.
Zambia mounted a challenge for a comeback, and they almost snatched an equalizer in added time when Marcel Zimba rolled a low cross into the area, but both Aaron Simpasa and Linecker Mbesuma couldn’t offer it a touch into an empty net.
Zambia’s next match will be a COSAFA derby against South Africa while Nigeria take on Morocco, both games set for next Wednesday