Nigeria wins first World Cup ticket in Africa

Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi's only goal helped the "Super Eagles" defeat second-placed team Zambia 1-0 in the penultimate match.

Goal: Iwobi 74'

With this victory, Nigeria has 13 points, six more than Zambia. They are sure to top Group B regardless of the result of the final match against Algeria. In Africa, the five group winners in the qualifying round will get five tickets to the next round, there is no play-off. Group B includes reigning CAN champions Cameroon, but the team with a rich record in the World Cup has been eliminated early.

Both teams missed several scoring opportunities, especially towards the end of each half. Augustine Mulenga had the ball in the net for Nigeria in the first half but was ruled offside. Midway through the second half, Victor Moses's powerful run left two Zambian defenders stranded, and Shehu Abdullahi crossed for Iwobi to finish inside the box.

Odion Ighalo, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Moses Simon had chances to add to Nigeria's tally but all missed. Zambia's players also failed to capitalise on their chances. Fashion Sakala, Alex Ng'onga and Enock Mwepu could have given the home team hope but all failed to score.

Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mwenne played well in the remaining minutes, denying Wilfred Ndidi a clear scoring chance. However, the goal was enough to send the Nigerian crowd and the coaching staff under German coach Gernot Rohr into a frenzy of joy at the final whistle.

Nigeria is the first African representative to win a ticket to the 2018 World Cup. Photo: Reuters.

Except for group B, the remaining four groups of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Africa have yet to find a winner.

In Group A, Tunisia have a big advantage with a three-point lead over the Republic of Congo but will lose the top spot if they lose to Libya in the final match and their opponents beat Guinea. In Group C, Ivory Coast lost the top spot to Morocco after being unexpectedly held to a draw by Mali. However, Eric Bailly and his teammates can reclaim this position and win a ticket to the next round if they beat their direct competitors in the final match at home.

In Group D, Senegal has a big advantage as it leads the second-placed teams Burkina Faso and Cape Verde by two points and has played one game less. In Group E, Egypt is one point ahead of Uganda and has played one game less.

According to VNE