Niger registered their first win in Group E of Africa’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, defeating Zambia 2-1 at Stade de Marrakesh in Morocco on Tuesday night.
The Menas struck both goals in the first half via Amadou Moutari and Boubacar Goumey to earn the first three points of their campaign.
Chipolopolo, meanwhile, hit back via Patson Daka, but were unable to recover and suffered a first defeat, leaving them tied on three points with Niger, Morocco (who have played only one match) and Tanzania, while Congo (one match, zero points) complete the group standings.
Niger got off to a flying start and found themselves two goals up inside the opening half hour.
Their first arrived as early as the sixth minute, with Amadou Moutari directing an effort beyond Zambia goalkeeper Tresford Mulenga after getting on the end of Boubacar Goumey’s assist.
GoaL! | Niger 1-0 Zambia | Amadou Moutaripic.twitter.com/lhOcqB7nMP
— FootColic ⚽️ (@FootColic) November 21, 2023
In the 28th minute the ‘hosts’ made it 2-0, as Goumey went from provider to scorer, latching onto Issa Djibrilla’s pass before finding the back of the net to put Niger in complete control of the match.
GoaL! | Niger 2-0 Zambia | Boubacar Goumeypic.twitter.com/aRSWkofQQU
— FootColic ⚽️ (@FootColic) November 21, 2023
Zambia were able to see themselves to halftime with no further damage, and early in the second half they got themselves back in the game, with Patson Daka scoring his third goal of the qualifiers to halve the deficit.
The Southern Africans pushed hard for a second strike to level the game, but Niger were able to stand firm in defence and secure an important win.
The teams will return to WCQ action in June of 2024, with Niger facing Congo, while Zambia will battle Morocco and Tanzania.
Niger (2) 2 (Moutari 6’, Goumey 28’)
Zambia (0) 1 (Daka 50’)
Niger: Tanja, Alhassane, Boureima, Diabate, Djibrilla (Amoustapha 74’), Goumey, A. Moumouni (Abubakar 66’), Moussa (B. Moumouni 66’), Moutari (Soumana 90+1’), Salifou, Yakubu
Zambia: Mulenga, E. Banda, L. Banda, Chama (Mphande 67’), Chanda, Chepeshi, Daka, Kabwe (Z. Phiri 67’), Kangwa (L. Musonda 78’), F. Sakala, Sunzu