The group stage matches at AFCON 2024 ended Wednesday with underdogs acquiring giant-killing status after sending fancied opposition parking

AFCON 2024: What To Expect As Nigeria Face Cameroon In Last 16

Posted by: Eninu William in International Football January 26, 2024

The group stage matches at AFCON 2024 ended Wednesday with underdogs acquiring giant-killing status after sending fancied opposition parking.

The remaining 16 teams will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals beginning this weekend until January 30.

Blockbuster ties including Nigeria taking on Cameroon on Saturday are set to attract global attention. The match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan is expected to have fireworks.

This is will be the eighth meeting between three-time winners Nigeria and five-time champions Cameroon at the Afcon.

The 16th round encounter will be the 26th meeting between both countries in all competitions. Cameroon won the final matches of the 1984, 1988 and 2000 Afcon tournaments.

The Eagles won the bronze-medal match 2-1 in 1992, defeated then Cup holders Cameroon 2-1 in the 2004 quarter-finals.

They also won 3-2 in the Round of 16 in Egypt four years ago. Striker Odion Ighalo grabbed a brace in Egypt and Alex Iwobi sealed the win for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria booked a place in the next round after finishing above Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau. However, they are behind table-toppers Equatorial Guinea in Group A in this year’s showpiece.

Cameroon heads into the last 16 thanks to a second-place finish in Group C behind reigning champions Senegal.

The Indomitable Lions finished above third-place side Guinea on goals scored. However, they only qualified thanks to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Gambia on matchday three.

Probable starters;

Nigeria hitman Victor Osimhen who guided Napoli to the Serie A title last season, is expected to lead the line. At the same time, Georges-Kévin Nkoudou who impressed for Cameroon in the group stage, with a tournament-high 10 chances created for teammates will be a key player for Cameroon.

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song faces a tough call in goal. First-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana was dropped for the crucial 3-2 win. Onana’s cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, took his place against The Gambia and hopes to keep his spot in what’s becoming a tough tournament for the Manchester United stopper.

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