Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr believes Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi’s blot of lightening can strike twice against Zambia this Saturday at home in Uyo.
Iwobi scored the first of Nigeria’s two goals in their 2-1 away win over Zambia in the first leg of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier in Ndola on October 9, 2016.
Iwobi returns to the national duty after missing the Nigeria game against Cameroon due to injury with a goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 home win over Brighton last Sunday.
“Yes, we are happy about Iwobi’s recovery. We expect that he can play again a decisive role, like he did in Ndola against the Chipolopolo of Zambia,” Rohr said.
“He’s a serious professional and the Arsenal doctors did a good work for his fast recovery from his injury. He has given us more tactical options after the games against Cameroon that he did not play.”
But that goal against Zambia is Iwobi’s only one from two Group B qualifiers.
A win for Nigeria will send them through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia with a game to spare.
Victory for Zambia will see Group B decided on the last day in November when Chipolopolo hosts Cameroon and Nigeria visit Algeria.