The Super Eagles of Nigeria face their toughest test yet in the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations as they slug it out against five-time champions, Cameroon for the round of 16 tie on Saturday evening.
The clash is between two dominant forces in African football history and based on historical precedents, it has always been a competitive, entertaining, and significant fixture. The last time these two sides faced each other was at this stage, at the 2019 African Cup of Nations as Alex Iwobi’s brace and Odion Ighalo’s goal ensured a 3-2 win for the Eagles to qualify for the next stage. Nigeria finished third in the tournament after losing to eventual winners, Algeria in the semi final.
The three-time champions know that they must avoid a defeat to Cameroon in Abidjan to keep the dream of winning a fourth title alive. In a match like this, prestige is relevant and must be considered over current form as both sides know what a win means for their giant status in African football.
Nigeria and Cameroon have produced the biggest footballers in African history. From Samuel Eto’o to Roger Milla to Rigobert Song to Nwankwo Kanu to Jay Jay Okocha to Rasheed Yekini to John Obi Mikel, and a stellar cast of superstar footballers. 8 African titles between the two sides including three finals where Nigeria lost all is enough to state the importance of this fixture and the winner of tonight’s encounter is surely a potential winner, with the complementary effort of being on the favourable side of the draw.
If the dream of sealing a fourth title is still on offer, then Jose Peseiro must motivate his players to believe that the match could just a decider and a stepping stone to achieving the dream.
Here are a few reasons why the Super Eagles of Nigeria are favourites to seal the win and triumph over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.Nigeria boasts of a richer attack
Although, the Super Eagles are yet to utilize their attacking prospects and effectively show why they were considered as one of the favourites for the trophy, the Round of 16 tie might just be a chance to prove their mettle. They have only scored one goal from open play with William Troost Ekong’s penalty and an own goal by Guinea Bissau, the other goals scored by Nigeria.
Reigning African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen is yet to ignite his fire due to the lack of creative push by the team for goalscoring opportunities as a disconnection from the midfield have been obvious so far.
However, for a knockout fixture where the players know what is at stake, it would be improper not to create more goalscoring opportunities for Osimhen or any other striker called to action.
Victor Osimhen leads the attack for Nigeria and he is a big name for big occasions. He latched onto a wonderful cross from Ademola Lookman to score a superb header which was the equalizer in the opening game against Equatorial Guinea. If he can get more crosses from key wingers like Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Ahmed Musa or full-backs like Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, it further boasts his chances of scoring. Similarly, a partnership with another striker, Paul Onuachu or Terrem Moffi can also be key to the Eagles’ victory.
Cameroon’s struggling defense
The Cameroon defense have been shambolic so far, conceding 6 goals in three group stage matches. In fact, they were on the verge of elimination after conceding twice to Gambia but two late goals signalled another chance at redemption for the Indomitable Lions. With the huge attacking prospects that Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, and other Nigeria attackers possess, it would be very hard for the shaky partnership of Castello, Tolo, and Wooh to resist the pressure. Similarly, both goalkeepers, Fabrice Ondoa and Manchester United’s inconsistent goalkeeper, Andre Onana who conceded there’s goals against defending champions, Senegal have been unreliable and shambolic so far as Osimhen and others are eagerly ready to punish the Cameroonian defense.
In all, Nigeria must use the advantage and score goals, as early as possible. There should be a stronger creative push and transition from midfield to attack in the game. The Nigerian midfield and the flanks has seemed non-existent so far but the Cameroon midfield is not compact either except Zambo Anguissa who boasts of fine quality.
To win the midfield battle, Kelechi Iheanacho or Joe Aribo might be a better midfield pivot option to support Frank Onyeka than Alex Iwobi. Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze should emulate Ademola Lookman’s vision while the likes of Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo must brace up for the challenge if called to action.Nigeria’s defense – the shinning light of their campaign so far
For Cameroon, they have struggled to score goals so far and it seems unlikely that the current crop of attackers will pose a difficult threat for a resolute defensive partnership. In contrast to Nigeria’s attacking worries, Peseiro’s men have been convincing in defense so far. Nigeria have only conceded one goal so far in the tournament. After the first game, the coach decided to switch to a three man defensive partnership of Ekong, Bassey, and Ajayi, with Omeuro effectively replacing him in the last game. Ekong is in line to restore his place after recovering from injury but either ways, it is unlikely that a Cameroon side who have struggled to score so far will pose a threat to the Eagle’s defense. The defense is in shape as the full backs have shielded goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali who is riding high on confidence.
Similarly, the wing backs–Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi–must be applauded for their commitment and effort to sealing the back line and the consistency of all defenders with worthy backups such as Osayi and Awaziem readily available.
There is no room for complacency for the Eagles as the Lions are ready to pounce any day. Vincent Aboubakar and Clement Njie are back in action, and Toko Ekambi is ready to fire on after saving his side against Gambia.Fighting Spirit and Belief
In 2013, when Nigeria last won the AFCON, the Super Eagles started slowly with two draws to Burkina Faso and defending champion, Zambia before a win against Ethiopia made them qualify to face Ivory Coast in the quarter-final. The Super Eagles were underdogs in the fixture against a side that reached the final and lost the previous edition to Zambia on penalties.
It was widely reported that tickets to Nigeria were already booked as they were prepared to exit the tournament but with belief and a wonderful fighting spirit, the late Stephen Keshi-led side, against all odds won 2-1 against Ivory Coast to re-ignite their hopes before a 4-1 semi-final win to Mali and a 1-0 win in the final against Burkina Faso sealed the trophy in South Africa.
The players were obviously low in confidence in the first group fixture as it took a motivational effort/ creative push by Lookman and Osimhen to seal an equalizer but since then, a convincing win against hosts Ivory Coast and a win against Guinea Bissau have changed the course of their competition and offered a glimmer of hope for their title dream.
The current squad could learn a few lessons from 2013 and defy the odds by clearing the obstacle before them. The Super Eagles stand a great chance to tame the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and keep the dreams of a fourth AFCON trophy alive.
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