Following the Super Eagles unconvincing performances at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), their fans would have been happier with a less formidable opponent but the three-time African champions are left with no option than to face and overcome their perennial rivals, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, if they are to achieve their dream of a fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire
Both teams are no longer at their best but any fixture involving the two powerhouses in African football is bound to produce fire-works on and off the field.
Therefore, tonight’s Round of 16 clash at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium will be more than just a football match as the rivalry between the West African neighbours will be rekindled with dire consequences for the loser.
It will be recalled that to set up the Round of clash, the Super Eagles finished second in group A after two uninspiring victories over host Cote d’ Ivoire and Guinea Bissau and a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea while the Indomitable Lions waited till the final round of group matches when they edged The Gambia 3-2 after a draw and loss against Guinea and Senegal respectively.
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Historically, the continental giants Nigeria and Cameroon have eight Africa Cup of Nations titles between them, with the Eagles champions of Africa in 1980, 1994 and 2013, while the Lions triumphed in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017.
Incidentally, the Indomitable Lions’ first three trophies came at the expense of the Super Eagles, with the first of those coming right inside the venue for tonight’s epic clash. The Lions won 3-1, despite Nigeria going in front after 10 minutes through Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal.
In 1988, Nigeria felt cheated when Mauritanian referee Idrissa Sarr disallowed a goal by Henry Nwosu in the first half at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. Emmanuel Kunde scored from the spot in the second period to win it for the Lions.
In 2000, as co-hosts, Nigeria fell behind 0-2 in a memorable final with goals from Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Mboma, before Raphael Chukwu Ndukwe and Jay-Jay Okocha restored parity. The Lions went ahead to win 4-3 after a penalty shootout at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The Lions successfully defended their title in Mali two years later, defeating Senegal on penalties inside Bamako’s Stade March 26, and then came from behind to edge Egypt 2-1 in Libreville in 2017.
However, in recent times, the pendulum of victory appears to be swinging in the direction of Nigeria which should motivate the Super Eagles to confront the Lions with more confidence.
Nigerians will remember with a song in their heart the Super Eagles’ triumph over the Lions in the quarter-finals in Tunisia in 2004, and in the Round of 16 in Egypt in 2019, as well as the 4-0 win over the neighbours in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Uyo in 2017 that paved the way for Nigeria’s qualification for Russia 2018.
In Alexandria in 2019, also in the Round of 16, eventual tournament top scorer Odion Ighalo scored two of the goals in a 3-2 win, with midfielder Alex Iwobi netting the winner from a fabulous assist by Ighalo.
In view of the recent triumphs over their more decorated opponents, the Super Eagles are favoured to surmount the Indomitable Lions hurdle to surge beyond where they stopped at the last edition of the AFCON in Cameroon.
Although they were tipped to go far after winning their three group matches, (1-0 Egypt, 3-1 Sudan and 2-0 Guinea-Bissau), the former African champions crashed out in the round of 16 after a slim 0-1 loss to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
Victory will not come on a silver platter but former internationals, the ‘mathematical’ Segun Odegami, Paul Okoku and ‘Mr. Utility’ Garba Lawal are backing the Super Eagles to devour the misfiring Lions of Cameroon.
Odegbami, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON-winning squad and former captain of the team, said the present crop of Super Eagles can achieve victory the way they did against the Lions at the same stage in Egypt four years ago, but must be extremely diligent and be very clinical with the opportunities that come their way.
“We may say that Cameroon have not pulled up any trees at this tournament, but the way they turned the game around against The Gambia sends a message. They are not to be taken for granted. I watched their game against Guinea and it was a fight-to-finish. We have been creating a lot of opportunities in our games but this time, we have to be clinical.
“Cameroon could prove to be a different proposition from the teams we have played against at this competition. Apart from the rivalry between our two countries, the present generation of Indomitable Lions have a point to prove,” said Odegbami to thenff.com
Another Super Eagles legend, Paul Okoku, who was in the thick of things when the Indomitable Lions edged Nigeria in 1984 for their first AFCON title has called on the present squad to rewrite history by winning tonight’s battle of heavyweights.
Writing on his Facebook account, Okoku said “I hate to admit it, but our rivalry with Cameroon started with us, the 1984 AFCON team, I am saying this with a wry smile. Let our story be a source of inspiration, not just rivalry that started in defeat. Play with all your heart, and remember, the entire nation is behind you—100%.
“In this instance, as the Super Eagles take to the pitch in AFCON 2024, against Cameroon, they carry the legacy of our great players of the past, the AFCON heroics. It’s more than a match; it’s a continuation of a story that transcends time—a story of triumph, resilience, and the indomitable spirit that defines Nigerian soccer.”
Lawal nicknamed Chindo, who played four times against the Lions in 1997 (LG Cup), 2000 (AFCON final), 2003 (LG Cup) and 2004 (AFCON quarter-final) said that self-belief will go a long way in steering the Eagles past the Lions on Saturday (tonight).
“They must go in there believing in themselves to do the job. Self-confidence is a good feeling when approaching a game like this. I see the Super Eagles getting past the Cameroonians if they believe in themselves and keep it tight at the back,” said the 1996 Olympics winner.
The Super Eagles are expected to have a full complement of their best legs as the duo of stand-in captain Williams Troost-Ekong and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi who missed the last group match due to injuries may be available for selection by Jose Peseiro.
Moreover, the Super Eagles presently boast the Africa Player of the Year in Victor Osimhen, and former champions have more familiarity with the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where they pipped Guinea Bissau 1-0 on Monday to set up the clash with Cameroon.
If the Super Eagles survive the Indomitable Lions’ scare tonight, they will meet either of the two giant killers, Angola or Namibia in the quarter-finals. Cape Verde, Mauritania, Morocco and South Africa are the other teams in the same half of the draws with the Super Eagles.
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