*Udeze, Adepoju, Okpala, Nwankwo speak
Perennial rivals Nigeria and Cameroon will step out for the eighth time in the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow in the Round of 16 of the ongoing Cote’d’Ivoire 2023.
Both nations qualified from their respective groups in second positions after gruelling group stage matches. Against all odds and expectations, the Super Eagles came second behind Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on lesser goals difference in Group A even though both teams finished with seven points each.
While Indomitable Lions needed a last gasp heroics before beating Gambia 2-1 to qualify as second in Group C behind the defending champions, the Teranga Lions of Senegal who topped their section with a hundred percent record.
As such, the die is cast and the stage is set for the Round of 16 tie billed for 9pm Nigeria time at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan tomorrow.
Incidentally, it is the same stadium the then Green Eagles were beaten 3-1 by Cameroon in the grand finale of the 1984 AFCON to lift their first title.
Nigeria lost further twice in the final of the AFCON to the same Cameroonian team in 1988 in Morocco and in the year 2000 when Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana. The Eagles did beat the Indomitable Lions in the third place match of the 1992 edition in Senegal; the quarter final of the 2004 edition in Tunisia and the Round of 16 tie in Alexandria, Egypt in 2019 through Odion Ighalo’s double and Alex Iwobi’s match winner but nothing hurts like the defeat the Eagles suffered in the AFCON final thrice.
Speaking ahead of the blockbuster Round of 16 tie, former Super Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze said Nigerians should acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Eagles players to make themselves available for games.
He called on Nigerians to rally round the team and give them the maximum support either they are playing up to expectations or otherwise.
The former PAOK Thessaloniki defender also counselled the Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro to get his tactics right to ensure that the team’s performance inspires more confidence.
“It is not easy for the team playing a game every three or four days. We need to give them a the support they need,” Udeze who represented Nigeria at the 2000 and 2004 AFCON said .
“They need to also make us feel good. It is now the AFCON just started and we want to see more tactically from Jose Peseiro.”
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju , a member of the team that lifted the AFCON in 1994 in Tunisia, reiterated that the coach Peseiro-led side have what it takes to beat Cameroon even as he backed Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen to hit his strides later in the AFCON.
Adepoju stated that the Napoli hitman has been fighting for the team despite his struggles in front of goal and that he needs the support of his colleagues to get out of his present state.
He also added that it is rather more important for the team to keep creating chances to score and would have been more concerned if the chances were not forthcoming.
“He(Osimhen) keeps on doing what he has been doing fighting for the team and struggling and all that,” Adepoju who played for Real Sociedad said.”The only thing is that he has not been calmer when it comes to putting the ball at the back of the net. It is important creating the chances and the goals and it is going to be more important for them to score the goals.
“If they are creating chances the possibility of scoring is high. I will be worried if they do not create chances. He is getting there and I believe in subsequent matches he would improve.”
A member of the 2013 AFCON title team, Obiorah Nwankwo , has equally thrown his weight behind the Eagles as he called on the players to stay focused and know that beating any opponent is possible with determination and hard work.
“They (Cameroon) are good individually. They are fast and talented but I believe we will beat them,” Nwankwo noted.
Also speaking is one of the Assistant Coaches to former Super Eagles gaffer, late Stephen Keshi, Sylvanus Okpala who has urged the Nigeria’s coach, Jose Peseiro to consider changing strategies for the knockout round of the AFCON.
Okpala , a AFCON winner with the Green Eagles in 1980, said a change of approach could be necessary at this point as the team needs to start scoring goals and dominating their opponents.
“After the first round matches you will need to change your strategy. It is the most important thing in football. The formation and the players come next,” Okpala nicknamed ‘ The Quicksilver’ in his heyday with the national team, said. “Let the coach know whom to play what fits into his own philosophy or football concept. He has the boys and he has been training with them. He knows the players that can fit in.
“We are in Cote d’Ivoire to win the AFCON because anything lesser than that is a failure.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles gaffer, Jose Peseiro has called on Nigerians to be patient with the team while stating that they would get it right against Cameroon and their future opponents.
“I have the obligation to do what is right for my team, pick the best formation and how best we can win games,” he told reporters in Abidjan. “The most important thing is for my players to believe in our strategy. They believe in what we are doing and have done well so far.
“If you remember at the last AFCON, Senegal didn’t score too many goals in the group stage.
“We are not scoring too many goals but we are winning. I prefer to continue like this and reach the final.”
Nigeria vs Cameroon : Head-to-Head AFCON Record
18 Mar 1984: Cameroon won her first AFCON title by thrashing Nigeria in the final 3-1.
17 Mar 1988: Cameroon and Nigeria played an entertaining 1-1 draw in the group stages of the 1988 AFCON in Morocco as both teams would eventually meet again in the final.
27 Mar 1988: The Green Eagles lost a second AFCON final to the Indomitable Lions, losing 1-0 in Casablanca, Morocco.
25 Jan 1992: Nigeria turned the tide in this encounter to win a Bronze medal match of Senegal 1992 following a 2-1 win at Stade de l’Amitié in Dakar
13 Feb 2000: Nigeria lost a third AFCON final to Cameroon via penalties after both teams tied 2-2 in Lagos.
08 Feb 2004: Nigeria secured a crucial 2-1 victory at Tunisia 2004 soil marking a significant milestone in their AFCON rivalry.
06 Jul 2019: In their most recent AFCON clash, Nigeria emerged triumphant with a thrilling 3-2 win, knocking out the Indomitable Lions in the round of 16.
