AFCON 2023: Key stats, prediction… All to know as Nigeria battle Cameroon
This year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) round-of-16 fixture serves up another tantalising matchup. by bringing together Nigeria, the 2013 champions and Cameroon, the 2017 winners of the competition early in the competition.
Having finished second in Group A, the Super Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the AFCON round of 16. The team defeated Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast after drawing Equatorial Guinea in the opening match to earn seven points.
The Indomitable Lions had a better goal differential than Guinea, who lost to Senegal 2-0 in their last group stage match, while five times AFCON champions Cameroon came from behind to beat The Gambia 3:2 and finish second in Group C with four points.
There have been 25 head-to-head matches between the two national teams, with Nigeria having a superior record with 12 wins and 8 draws against Cameroon.
They last time the two heavyweights in african football faced off at AFCON was during the 2019 competition’s second round. Nigeria prevailed 3-2 in the wild match to take home the bronze medal later on.
In order for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to fulfil their dream of “doing it again” in the Ivory Coast, Victor Osimhen will be a vital player, but first things first. They will have to face off their neighbours Cameroon. Osimhen is considered one of the most prolific strikers in world football. In addition to Osimhen, the Super Eagles will benefit greatly from the experience of veteran players Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo in the locker room as well as on the pitch.
The Giants of Africa are also concerned about their midfield and defence though the Nigeria struggles to generate much from the midfield and frequently concedes. Despite having enough defensive players to cover the leaks, there is a conspicuous lack of creative midfield players, which is made worse by Victor Boniface’s injury. One of the team’s creators, Alex Iwobi was deployed deep in the midfield due to Yusuf’s injury, and that limited his chances of creation
This brings up the team’s biggest issue, which may prove to be their undoing in Ivory Coast: a glaring lack of tactical acumen among the coaching staff.
Known as the Indomitable Lions for good reason, Cameroon has won five AFCON titles and is no stranger to a challenge. They famously defeated Senegal on penalties in 2002 to successfully defend their title. You cannot wish them away.
The only player from Cameroon on the 2023 CAF Team of the Year, Frank Anguissa, is considered the country’s talisman. He might be the team that the Indomitable Lions need to rely on to overcome Nigeria.
Cameroon easily won their group in the most recent AFCON (2021), with two wins and a draw, easily dominating their group however in Ivory Coast, they merely made it out of group stage with just four points out of possible nine.
NIGERIA VS CAMEROON TIME AND DATE
Date:. 27th January 2024
Time: 9pm WAT
Venue: Abidjan, Felix Houphouet-Boigny
NIGERIA VS CAMEROON PREDICTION
Both teams are heavyweights in african football having won eight AFCONs between them. However, they failed to qualify from their groups convincely. With Nigeria struggling to be creative with th and ball and Cameroon struggling to win matches. This fixture have all the features of a boring game. But if super Eagles find a way to unlock their inner beast, then the goals might poAFCON 2023: Key stats, prediction… all to know as Nigeria battle Cameroon.
We say 2:1
See also: Revealed: See how much AFCON 2023 winners will earn
