AFCON 2023: Nigeria Vs. Cameroon R16 preview
By Ngome Michael
Nigeria and Cameroon have an extensive history with the African Cup of Nations and meeting at the round of 16 adds to an already upset-filled tournament, extra”goût”. The Super Eagles Vs Indomitable Lions clash accounts for three Cup of Nations finals with Saturday’s meeting in Abidjan set to be a remake of 5years ago in Egypt.
Nigeria had a rather disappointing start to their campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Equatorial Guinea that finished top of Group A. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, assisted by Ademola Lookman, equalized within two minutes of Equatorial Guinea taking the lead.
For a side with injury crises heading into the tournament the Super Eagles redeemed themselves by securing a 1-0 win over host Côte D’Ivoire. Troost Ekong made the difference from the spot in the second half. Peseiro’s team is yet to show the real quality it houses as against Guinea Bissau, Nigeria’s second group stage victory came from an Opa Sangate first half owngoal.
The three-time winners had themselves to blame at the end of the 90 minutes in almost all three group matches as they have been quite wasteful in front of goal, scoring just two goals despite dominating with shots on target but, are defensively solid.
Cameroon on the other hand played out a 1-1 draw against 10-man Guinea in their group opener, falling behind after just 10 minutes before Frank Magri headed home the leveler early in the second half. They were then beaten 3-1 by a clinical Senegal outfit in the second group game before edging Gambia 3-2 on final day to seal a dramatic runner-up ticket.
Christopher Wooh was the last player to score in an extraordinary period of stoppage time as Cameroon eventually defeated Gambia to stave off an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Toko Ekambi placed the Lions ahead within 11minutes of second half resumption before Ablie Jallow and Ebrima Colley scored twice in the final 15minutes putting the Scorpions ahead. James Gomez however turned the ball into his own net, then Wooh’s header burst scenes of wild celebrations in the Cameroon camp.
Victor Osimhen and co will play in Nigeria’s 15th consecutive AFCON knockout stage match when they exchange forces against Cameroon at the Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium on Saturday. They finished second in Group A on goal difference behind Equatorial Guinea.
The Super Eagles boast of the highest number of victories, (23) at this stage of the tournament than any other country. Only four nations conceded fewer goals,(1) at the AFCON group stage and Nigeria features amongst, safe to say they are comfortable at the back.
This is not the case upfront for a side that has dominated this fixture in previous four meetings and had two players score three goals back in 2019 one of whom is present in the current squad, Alex Iwobi. Victor Osimhen has been arguably Nigeria’s lone attacking threat in the AFCON.
Cameroon head into the tie with a negative balance sheet interms of goals scored having produced five, (all headed goals) and conceded six. This however this highest number of goals the Lions have scored at this level in quite some years.
Rigobert Song will have to rely much on Damac FC forward, George Kevin Nkoudou, directly involved in three of Cameroon’s five first round goals and has created 10 chances for his teammates. Talisman, Vincent Aboubarkar back in training, Nkoudou is certainly in coach Rigobert’s plans to light-up the last edition top scorer.
Both coaches head out this weekend with contrasting views looking back at respective benches. José Peseiro who has shifted his for twice, against Equatorial Guinea and Côte D’Ivoire will look on how to cast-in Kelechi Iheanacho and has as lone injury concern, Zaidu Sanusi.
Rigobert Song hopes to have his lead striker fully fit for this classic and might effect like-for-like changes going into his first knockout game in a major competition as head coach.
