- Cameroon will take on Nigeria in the round of 16
- Cameroon have been boosted with the return of skipper Vincent Abubakar
- They last met in 2019, Nigeria winning
AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) round of 16 matches will provide an epic spectacle when they kick off Saturday evening. Eternal rivals Nigeria and Cameroon will clash in the round of 16 at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, in what is expected to be a high stakes duel.
Having failed at this same stage at the 2021 showpiece Nigeria approach their round of 16 duel against Cameroon with utmost caution, hoping they don’t repeat the same mistakes.
The Super Eagles take on Cameroon, just like they did in Egypt in 2019 when they beat them 3-2 in a thrilling duel in Alexandria.
Coach Jose Peseiro is however cautious in his approach, saying they meet a tough side and aim to ensure they minimize their mistakes.
“It’s a difficult match. We are in the round of 16 and playing against a great team. We don’t want to concede, we want to score a goal and maintain our lead. Even if the statistics are not for us, we are going to play to our best,” the tactician said, speaking at the pre-match press conference.
Nigeria, three-time winners of the AFCON, remain confident they can go all the way. When they beat Cameroon in 2019, they reached the semis, and won the bronze medal match.
Striker Moses Simon says the team is motivated for a win.
AFCON meet up for the second time
Nigeria players celebrate a goal in a past match. PHOTO/CAF
“In 2019 we played against Cameroon, we know they are strong, and I think today they are better than in 2019 and we also improved as well. We know their weak points and so we will take the match as it comes,” the speedy winger said.
Meanwhile, Cameroon, who managed to squeeze in to the AFCON last 16 by the skin of their teeth are eager to make the best of their chances.
Head coach Rigobert Song has urged his players to leave everything on the pitch to ensure the team qualifies for quarter finals.
The Indomitable Lions managed to reach the semis of the 2021 AFCON which they hosted, but they just but merely survived this year, making the last 16 as second place finishers in Group C on goal difference.
They take on Nigeria, in what is expected to be a fiery old-age battle, and Song says he will give everything to ensure that the sides makes the quarters.
We know what we need to do
Cameroon players celebrate a goal in a past match. PHOTO/CAF
“We know what we need to do and where we need to go. We have prepared and remain focused. We started slowly, moving up gradually. At this stage of the competition, I think there are no more things to look for,” the coach says.
He adds; “In three matches, I no longer have the right to calculate, I have to correct what didn’t work. I will do everything necessary to obtain a positive result”.
His sentiments are shared by striker Faris Moumbagna, who hopes to have a part to play in the duel.
“We are going to stay in the same state of mind and continue to give the best of us. We are going to approach this match with 200% effort. We are going to give everything on the pitch like we did against Gambia, we are not going to give up,” the newly signed Olympique Marseille man said.
Ahead of the AFCON round of 16 duel, the Indomitable Lions have been boosted with the expected return of skipper Vincent Abubakar. The striker had been ruled out for the first three matches of the group stages with injury, but he is now available for selection.
His presence will offer a massive boost for the forward line which struggled to convert the myriad of chances they have been creating.
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