Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-1 to kick off the third round of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles took on the Zambians at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola and skipped away to a two-goal lead before the break.

Arsenal young gun Alex Iwobi opened the scoring with his first senior international goal in just his fifth appearance for his country.

The goal came on 32 minutes when a long throw-in was not dealt with well enough by Adrian Chama, with Iwobi taking advantage to fire home a first-time volley beyond Chipolopolo keeper Kennedy Mweene.

Nigeria's Wolverhampton Wanderers gloveman Carl Ikeme then came up with a brilliant save to keep his side ahead when denying Rainford Kalab's header from pointblank range.

10 minutes after Iwobi's opener and Nigeria were two to the good courtesy of Manchester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho who made it four goals in his last four internationals.

He received a deft little pass from Brown Ideye before advancing all the way to the byline, using some fancy footwork to edge past some would-be tacklers, before firing home from just inches out.

Ikeme made another brilliant stop to keep out Jackson Mwanza's header before Zambia pulled one back in the 71st minute through Collins Mbesuma who pounced on a defensive error from Chelsea's Alanyaspor loanee Kenneth Omeruo to fire home.

Nevertheless, it did not change the overall result as Gernot Rohr's side started Group B with a vital away win.