Related Post
Zimbabwe and Udinese star Jordan Zemura has vowed that he and his teammates will do everything possible to neutralize the attacking threats of Super Eagles duo Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman when both sides meet in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen and Lookman have been in scintillating form for Nigeria, with both players combining to score the opening goal in their last game against Rwanda. Osimhen then sealed the 2-0 victory with a second strike, to inspire the Super Eagles to a first victory of the campaign.
Zemura, a key player for Zimbabwe, played a crucial role in his side’s last match, providing two assists in a spirited comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Benin Republic in Durban.
Despite acknowledging the quality of Nigeria’s attacking duo, the 25-year-old insists Zimbabwe are up for the challenge.
“They are unbelievable players, both of them. Lookman at Atalanta is a very, very talented player, and we all know Victor Osimhen as one of the best strikers in the world,” Zemura told Chioniso Mashakada.
“There’s a lot of focus on these players because of how good and effective they are. It will be a challenge to keep them quiet, but we are ready for that challenge and we’ll do everything we can.”
Jordan Zemura becomes the first Zimbabwean to play in the Italian Serie A after signing a pre-contract agreement with Italian Serie A club Udinese.
— Bongie (@TheeSportsQueen) April 12, 2023
Our very own
⚽️✅ pic.twitter.com/DSRBxaCLbu
The Udinese left-back also highlighted the significance of the fixture for Zimbabwe’s long-term ambitions, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and future World Cup qualifiers in mind.
“It’s gonna be a very big game for us, especially as we prepare for the World Cup qualification but also for AFCON. Playing against big teams helps us see where we stand in terms of competition. It’s gonna be a tough game but a very good one,” he added.
Jordan Zemura is the Panini Player of the Match for #UdineseLecce pic.twitter.com/tgN5uKcepK
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 5, 2024
Personally, Zemura is relishing the opportunity to test himself against some of Africa’s top talents.
“I’m feeling well, we’ve recovered after the game against Benin. It was tough, coming back from 2-0 down, but I’m ready to go. I can’t wait to compete against these players. They’ve got some strong players, and I’ll be up against them to show them what I’m about.”
Nigeria host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo later today with the kickoff set at 5 pm local time.
