Once again, Nigeria overcame adversity to open their 2018 World Cup qualifying series with a refreshing 2-1 win at Zambia. Bogged down by funding issues and in danger of missing the fixture, the Nigerian government stepped in at the last minute to provide money and get the squad a chartered aircraft to Zambia. They were rewarded with a convincing away win. More than the result, however, was the performance, which had fans back home buzzing about their team for the first time in years. A lot of the credit must go to new coach Rohr, whose imprint is gradually being stamped on the side.
Here are five takeaways from the match:
1. Youth wins
Nigeria's starting lineup featured six players age 23 or under, with four of those 20 years and younger. Of the rest, there was one 24-year-old, one 26-year-old and three 28-year-olds. Both goals were scored by two 20-year-olds in Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi. These aren't just any 20-year-olds, either, but two of the most talented in world football. It is a sign of both the huge potential of the Nigeria squad and the frightening realization that they are beginning to deliver well ahead of schedule.
2. Rohr makes statement
Nigeria manager Rohr is a quiet but formidable character. He has made few grandiose statements since taking up the job. Instead, in only his second match in charge, he made a big statement with his lineup and how his team performed. He dropped vice captain Ahmed Musa to the bench, and the same with default regular starter Musa Mohammed at right-back. Both players have seen little playing time with their club in recent weeks and looked rusty at training.
Rohr also had the gumption to hook veteran striker Brown Ideye during the course of the game. That decision did not go down well with the Olympiakos forward, who took his frustrations out on a water bottle on the sideline. Ideye was quick to dismiss the incident afterward and said it was a spur-of-the-moment reaction to getting subbed. But one thing is clear: Rohr has lain down a marker. Form and playing time are the way to get into his team. He did it without a word.
3. Zambians were amazing
Traveling around Africa for away games is usually a psychological ordeal for many nations. Right from the airport, visiting teams are not only shown open hostility from rival supporters but are also sometimes subjected to verbal and physical assault. Visiting teams can be assigned rickety buses and lodged at run-down motels and might suffer intimidation all the way to match day. It got so bad that CAF changed its rules and made visiting teams responsible for their own transport and accommodation.
The country of Zambia and their fans were the exact opposite. The reception was not just friendly. It bordered on genuine brotherly love. The icing on the cake came at the end of the game, when the home fans lined up outside to applaud the Nigerian players' bus. An award for Zambia, anyone?
4. And Nigerians too
One of the most ubiquitous aspects during Nigeria games, especially the senior men's national team, is the din of song accompanied by drums, cymbals and trumpets provided by the Supporters' Club. Unfortunately, a rift within the organization meant they were unable to travel with the team. Upon getting wind of their absence, Nigerians around Zambia quickly mobilized, got themselves to Ndola in matching shirts and brought along musical instruments. The Supporters' Club might not have even been missed.
5. Onazi matures, Ikeme immense
It would appear that marriage does change a man. Ogenyi Onazi played like he was possessed against Zambia -- albeit a disciplined type of possessed. For a previous card magnet, the former Lazio man snapped at every heel, but he did so cleanly. He was the major reason Rainford Kalaba was not as effective as he usually is and could barely find any supply to Collins Mbesuma and Winstone Mulenga.
Carl Ikeme has settled into his role as No. 1 goalkeeper and made two breathtaking, point-blank saves in either half prove that he is the real deal. After those two, few will remember the butter fingers of the first minute, when he almost conceded. Not quite a Nigeria goalkeeping great yet, but he is working his way there.