The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be training behind closed doors in preparations for the first game of FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
A very good crowd of people watched the players play at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday against Plateau United and emerged the winner with 3-0 with the opener from Anderson Esiti and a brace from Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi.
The player’s safety became a major concern when after the victory the crowd tried to exchange pleasantries with them.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation said no one will be allowed entrance into the stadium this evening so as to enable the players round off their training.
“No one will be allowed in to the stadium today, not even the media,The coaches will be working on the team strategies and they do not want any distractions of any sort.
“Yesterday, we were just very lucky that nothing untoward happened as the crowd, in its enthusiasm to greet the players, nearly injured some of them.
“This can not be allowed to happen again aside the fact that this is a strategic session in which only those working closely with the team can attend.”
Nigeria and Zambia have never met in any FIFA World Cup qualification game.
Nigerians past result with Zambia can be found below.
P W D L F A (P-Played, W-Won, D-Draw,L-Lost, F-Goals for, A-Goals Against)
Nigeria 18 6 7 5 16 20
Zambia 18 5 7 6 20 16
15 July 1973 (Afcon.q) Zambia 5 -1 Nigeria
29 Jul. 1973 (Afcon.q) Nigeria 3-2 Zambia
14 Feb. 1976 (F) Zambia 1-3 Nigeria
10 Mar. 1978 (Afcon) Zambia 0-0 Nigeria
25 Jul. 1981 (F) Zambia 3-0 Nigeria
13 Mar. 1982 (Afcon) Zambia 3-0 Nigeria
10 Aug. 1985(Afcon.q) Nigeria 0-0 Zambia
18 Aug.1985 (Afcon.q) Zambia 1-0 Nigeria
12 Mar. 1990 (Afcon) Zambia 0-2 Nigeria
10 April 1994 (Afcon) Zambia 1-2 Nigeria
15 Dec. 1997 (F) Zambia 2-0 Nigeria
18 Dec. 1997 (F) Zambia 0-0 Nigeria
13 Jan. 2001(Afcon.q) Nigeria 1-0 Zambia
24 Mar.2001 (Afcon.q) Zambia 1-1 Nigeria
6 Jan.2010 (F) Zambia 0-0 (Nigeria ACN) *(3-4 penalties Nigeria)
14 Nov 2011 (F) Nigeria 2-0 Zambia
25 Jan. 2013 (Afcon) Zambia 1-1 Nigeria
