Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will be looking to avenge their 2019 defeat at the hands of the Super Eagles of Nigeria when both sides clash on Saturday in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

By Efosa Taiwo

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will be looking to avenge their 2019 defeat at the hands of the Super Eagles of Nigeria when both sides clash on Saturday in the last 16 of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

The neighbouring countries experienced a difficult group stage phase with the Super Eagles having to grind out wins against Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau to make it to the Round of 16.

For Cameroon, it was a more difficult experience as they were on the verge of a shock exit at the hands of Gambia when two stoppage-time goals sent them through in dramatic fashion.

Boasting of quality and experienced players in their ranks, the clash between both sides right from history has always been known to be intense considering it’s a derby of some sort.

The match might, however, be won from the bench where Rigobert Song and Jose Peseiro will be looking at outwitting each other to get their team through to the last eight.

Head-to-Head: Nigeria vs Cameroon

Nigeria and Cameroon have faced each other seven times in the Africa Cup of Nations, with each team winning three and drawing one.

Cameroon won the finals of the 1984, 1988, and 2000 AFCON tournaments, while the Eagles won the bronze medal match 2-1 in 1992, overcame then-Cup winners Cameroon 2-1 in the 2004 quarter-finals, and won 3-2 in Egypt’s Round of 16 four years ago.

In 1988, both teams drew 1-1 in the group stage, with Samuel Okwaraji scoring after only two minutes in Rabat and Roger Milla equalizing with a header after the Nigerian defenders, commanded by Andrew Uwe, thought they had kept him offside.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Nigeria vs Cameroon is scheduled to kick off 9pm Nigeria on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

The match will take place at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

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