Number one Nigeria will host 2nd placed Zambia next Saturday in Uyo in a penultimate 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier seperated by just three points.
Zambia head into that must-win match on the back of a 3-1 home win and 1-0 away Group B victories over Algeria on September 2 and 5 respectively.
“Look at the way we played Algeria at home and away ,it tells a lot of stories,” Nyirenda said.
“The boys now know and believe it can be done.
“Nigeria is a different team and we are not going to be big headed because we beat Algeria but we are just focused only on Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Zambia kicked off preparations for Nigeria on Monday with the home-based players available for the first week of camp before the foreign-based callups join them in Lusaka this Sunday.
But missing from week one camp are the five Zesco United players due to Wednesday’s 2017 Barclays Cup quarterfinal date against Kitwe United in Kitwe.
Absent will be defenders Fackson Kapumbu and Simon Silwimba, midfielders Misheck Chaila, John Chingandu and Kondwani Mtonga.
Meanwhile, Nigeria have named their 24 member side to face Zambia on October 7 in their penultimate 2017 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier away in Uyo.
Coach Gernot Rohr has kept faith in his 18 that beat (4-0) at home and drew (1-1) drew away with Cameroon earlier this month.
And back from injury after missing the September dates is Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi and South African-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Nigeria lead Group B on 10 points, three ahead of Zambia whom they beat 2-1 in the first leg in Ndola last October.
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ayodele Ajiboye (Plateau United FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
STANDBY: Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Afeez Aremu (Akwa United); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)
The task at hand is of a mammoth nature but its a clear task.. Chipolopolo all the way.
Nigeria just names we shall beat them and we shall beat Cameroun
These world cup qualifies are defining moments for Zambian Soccer. It a new wave of self esteem and courage, a show piece for our best God given asset ahead of copper! The boys have such an amazing self belief. The technical team should do the same! I love and respect Nigeria for their humility and simplicity in soccer but it’s our turn.
The Super Eagles will have the last fight.
Nigeria 2 Zambia 0
Zambia 2 Nigeria 1. Mark my posting
Nigeria 1 Zambia 3
I pray Zambia qualifies for her first FIFA world cup at the expense of big names like Cameroon and Nigeria.
Win or loose,Nigeria has that advantage cause of goal difference they still remain on top.We are going to play a very difficult game and it requires players with very strong character.
Head to Head Nigeria Vs Zambia
Games won: 7 (Nigeria)
Games drawn: 5
Games lost: 5 (Zambia has won 5)
Its nice playing big names. Just wait will hear them say, they have unfinished business with Zambia after beating them, ask Drogba! A new team with new flavour. We have so much confidence in you guyz. Make us feel proud of our name – Zambia. It feels good to qualify by beating giants. Its possible and it will done. I can smell Russia….! If you want to go by History, South Africa won on the same soil, and I think at the moment we are better than SA.
@Zemwila the issue of goal difference should not worry you for now. What is of immediate importance is for Zambia to win both games in Uyo and at home. Goal difference is not constant. After all, I am foreseeing a situation where Nigeria will lose to Zambia and draw away in Algeria.
Zambia and their coach have been talking and shouting from the roof top about what they are going to do to the super eagles. Have you heard any word from Rohr, the Nigerian head coach?
That’s how you prepare for war. Say as little as possible.
@Abdulrazak Word from Rohr ” …. Nigeria will cage Zambia”. Rohr is also shouting. In fact a lot. Read other channels.
Zambia 3 – 0 Nigeria
Zambians, please continue to boast. October 7 is almost here.awe will see who will cry. Equating the Super eagles with Zambia will be your undoing. We definitely know how to qualify for the World Cup and we will do so on October 7 by qualifying for our 6th World Cup competition.Let us wait until October 7. Mark my words: Zambiawill lose to Nigeria and Cameron.Zambia will come 3rd and not even 2nd on the log.
zambia will win en qualify for world Cup…
Zambia is under predictable team with the new crops of the under 20 players who reached the quarter finals of the world Cup Zambia will baptize the Nigerians I can’t wait to watch the chipolopolo on 7th eeish predictions Zambia 2 Nigeria 0
I AM ALREADY IN NIGERIA WAITING FOR SATURDAY THE DAY SUPER EAGLES WILL PUT A LAST NAIL IN ZAMBIA’S HOPE FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION, U ARE BUSY BLA BLA BLA DO YOU KNOW LEON BAOLGUN ?? GOOGLE SEARCH HIM, U HAVE SMALL VERY LIGHT PLAYERS LIKE FASHION U THINK U CAN DEMOLISH SUPER EAGLES …PLEASE I KNOW THAT NA MENSHI YALAKOLA’ KEEP ON DREAMING. ITS TIME THE TALKATIVE ZAMBIANS RESPECT NIGERIA FOREVER
Zambians don’t even say a word of respect to Nigeria team at all
. Do you know the meaning of big headed your coach said. Any way the you people talk is good for super eagle because I know my team and you people will also know them on 7 of Oct. In uyo
Comment: I support Zambia and I am a proud Zambian but I strongly doubt that we can beat Nigeria at their home ground in a fully packed stadium. Nigeria knows very well what is at stake and there is no way they will let this opportunity of going to Russia slip out of their hands. I agree that Zambia has improved a lot from the first match we lost to Nigeria, but it is too late and too little now. We allowed Nigeria to beat us at home and that was the time we lost everything. Nigeria took this tournament from the word go, but we waited until we realised that we were not doing well. Let us stop giving ourselves false hopes and learn to be realistic. Mathematically It might be possible but it is highly improbable that we shall beat Nigeria. I am not pessimistic, I am being realistic. I…
Nigeria 3 Zambia 1
Gentlemen and Zambians, Nigerians need not say more. Just wait on till October 7th and we shall prove to you that this is a different ball game to the South African game at Uyo.
Sorry Zambia, your team played very well but it was not your day.