THE NIGERIAN - ZAMBIA MATCH

Just finished watching the Nigerian under-20 team defeating their Zambian counterparts by 2 - 1 in the round of sixteen. I see nothing special in the victory, has no Nigerian team has lost to any of their African counterpart in any world cup tournament match at under-age level outside Africa.

 From the theory that history always repeat itself, it is expected that Nigeria should win. Now let refresh our memories with our past encounters against our African brothers in world cup under-age tounaments.

 1. In 1985 the Nigerian under 16 team defeated their Guinean counterparts on penalties after playing 1-1 draw at full time in the semi-finals before going on to defeat Germany 2-0 in the final match and winning Africa her first world cup gold.Members of the team include : Fatai Atere, Victor Igbinoba who scored the sensational 2nd goal against the Germans in the final.Others include the bandana tieing Kingsley Onye,Bella Momoh - the teams' highest goal scorer in that competition.

 2.1993,Kanu & co defeated hard fighting Ghana 2-1 in the final match of the same under-16 tounament in Japan,lifting the cup second time.

 3.2005, Holland. Mikel Obi and his counterparts met and defeated the Morrocan under-20 team by 3-0 in the semi-final match before going on to loose the final to Argentina by 2-1. *

NB. the only time that Nigeria has lost to an African nation in tournament such as this was in Nigeria'99.when Nigeria lost to Mali in the quarter-final on African soil. Conclusion is that Nigeria has never lost to any African team outside of Africa