Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, is counting on Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, to help surmount the challenge posed by Zambia on Sunday.
The three-time African champions begin their quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with an away trip to Ndola to face Zambia.
Iwobi, who missed Rohr’s first game in charge of the Eagles against Tanzania last month, was one of 23 players invited for the encounter.
In the absence of the talismanic Arsenal man, it was fellow 20-year-old, Kelechi Iheanacho, who plays for Iwobi’s Premier League rivals, Manchester City, that got the job done.
However the gaffer is hoping the youngster who narrowly missed his club’s Player of the Month award to Alexis Sanchez can make an impact against the Chipolopolo.
“Iwobi was injured the last time and he couldn’t play against Tanzania, but naturally he is here, and everybody knows he’s a good player,” Rohr said in a press conference on Friday.
“I hope his integration in the team will be made for our first big team together in Ndola.
“The training was good and we helped him to analyze our own games so he knows how we played in Uyo because we cannot change so much tactically because the time is short.”
Iwobi struck twice as the Eagles crushed Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Plateau United, 3-0 on Wednesday.
And the Franco-German is expecting more of such performances from the young attacker.
“I count a lot on him that he can help us to win the game,” Rohr added.
“We must have a good striker and a good attack and a positive playing game.”
