Zambia Star Mwepu Congratulates Nigeria : Go And Make Africa Proud

Red Bull Salzburg loanee Enoch Mwepu has congratulated Nigeria for qualifying for their sixth World Cup, adding that the Zambian squad will target a place in the 2022 tournament.

Mwepu cost problems for the Nigerian defense in Saturday's game, and Cypriot-based star Abdullahi Shehu was yellow carded for bringing down the midfielder in the 63rd minute, having been warned earlier by the referee.

''The trouble with being a good sport is that you have to lose to prove it. Also I'd like to say to everyone that if you can't accept losing you'll never be able to win,'' Mwepu said in a statement released by the Football Association of Zambia.

''As a good sportsman I would like to say congratulations to Nigeria on their qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Go and make Africa proud.''

Mwepu added : ''I am extremely disappointed that we didn't make it to the World Cup. However we can only use this loss as a stepping stone to build an even better squad ready to rise to the challenge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The work starts now.''

In the last round of the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria travel to Algeria next month while the Copper Bullets host Cameroon.

Igho Kingsley