AFCON PREVIEW: Misfiring Eagles, uninspiring Lions face off in battle of familiar foes

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast has surged into second gear. The knockout phase is about to commence, and the margin for error is slimmer than ever.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will kickstart the competition’s knockout phase against arch-rivals Cameroon at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, on Saturday. The fixture has a rich history and heritage, and the rivalry can match any encounter.

To clinch the AFCON trophy in 1984, 1988 and 2000, Cameroon defeated Nigeria in the final on all three occasions. The Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny was where the Indomitable Lions defeated the Super Eagles in 1984.

Despite the age-long rivalry, both teams are heading into the second round match as shadows of their glorious past selves.

The Eagles had the highest big-scoring chances in the group stage but netted just three goals; only one was scored by a Nigerian player from open play.

Nigeria finished second with seven points behind Equatorial Guinea in Group A, but their performance told a more disappointing story. The Eagles have not been able to score more than one goal in their last six matches. However, Jose Peseiro, the head coach, said he would not change his strategy to address the goal-scoring concerns.

The Lions were even more disappointing in the group stage. They only progressed to the knockout phase courtesy of a stoppage-time header by Christopher Wooh in their last game against Gambia. The team’s last win before that was a 3-0 defeat of Mauritius in November 2023.

Both countries are heading to the clash on crutches, and the winner would be the first team to snap out of the collective dry spell.

Eagles lack goals — but concede a few

Despite the lethargic start at Ivory Coast, the Eagles will still feel they can challenge for the trophy this time.

Although scoring goals is a problem, the Eagles have not been conceding either. The team has shown that it possesses the defensive grit and focus needed for the unpredictable brand of African football.

At the last AFCON, the Eagles were impeccable en route to the second round. They were the only team to pick maximum points in the group stage, scoring many goals. But they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Tunisia.

Nigeria and Cameroon have not locked horns at the AFCON since Egypt 2019 when the Eagles recorded a 3-2 victory in the second round stage of the competition.

Struggling Lions barely qualified

The Indomitable Lions were a few minutes away from joining the list of heavyweights that crashed out in the group stage until two late goals rescued the five-time champions and bought them a second chance at redemption.

The Lions have also struggled in front of goal. Before their goal-fest against the Gambia, the country failed to score more than one goal in their previous four matches.

The absence of star striker Vincent Aboubakar was deeply felt in all their group games in Ivory Coast. 

The goalkeeping department has also proven inconsistent, with Andre Onana getting sidelined for Fabrice Ondoa in the Lions’ last game.

It remains to be seen who Rigobert Song, Cameroon’s head coach, would favour for the Nigerian match.

Team news

Nigeria are still sweating on the fitness of key midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who continues to struggle with injury problems. The Royal Antwerp man missed the games against Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau.

West Brom’s Semi Ajayi will again line up in central defence alongside Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, with William Troost Ekong expected to return, while Victor Osimhen will lead the attack as he looks to prove himself in the knockout phase.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu are also attacking options for Nigeria.

As for Cameroon, Rigobert Song is expected to keep faith with the side that conquered Gambia.

It is reported that Aboubakar would be fit for the match after missing all the previous games.

Nigeria’s possible lineup: Nwabali, Aina, Zaidu, Ajayi, Troost, Bassey, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen.

Cameroon’s possible lineup: Ondoa, Yongwa, Wooh, Moukoudi, Castelletto, Anguissa, Kemen, Ntcham, Koudou, Ekambi, Magri.

Head to head

Nigeria have defeated Cameroon in two of their last AFCON meetings. A Jay Jay Okocha freekick and John Utaka strike cancelled out Samuel Eto’o’s opener in the quarter-final of the 2004 AFCON.

Odion Ighalo scored a brace, and Alex Iwobi grabbed the winner when Nigeria defeated Cameroon 3-2 in the round of 16 stage of the 2019 AFCON.

It is now 35 years since Cameroon beat Nigeria in regulation time of a competitive match. The last time was during the qualification campaign for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

In total, both teams have met on 25 occasions, and Nigeria have won 12. Five ended in Cameroon’s favour while eight matches were draws.

Prediction: Nigeria 2-2 Cameroon (Winner to be decided via penalties)