Nigeria vs Cameroon Prediction & Betting Tips (27 January)

Announced as one of the favorite nations of the tournament, the Super Eagles confirmed their status by joining the next round, as they had done in the last two editions of the CAN. Starting timidly against a surprising team from Equatorial Guinea 1-1, Nigeria then showed all its skills, overthrowing Ivory Coast 1-0, then Guinea Bissau by the same score. It is in particular thanks to unfailing defensive solidity that they conquered 2nd place in the group, locking down each offensive of their opponents. That being said, the co-best defense of the tournament did not prove to be as dangerous as one might have imagined, even ceding 1st place in the group to Equatorial Guinea due to a lower goal difference. Those who were heralded as the best current attack in Africa will have to show more if they want to take on the tough Cameroonians. We could well have seen the 1/8 finals without the Cameroonians this year! Indeed, the Indomitable Lions had only collected a small point during the first two matches.

Suffering a 1-1 draw against Guinea despite their numerical superiority for an entire half, then falling against Senegal 3-1, final favorite of this competition, Cameroon was therefore obliged to beat Gambia. Despite a score of 2 goals to 1 in the 85th minute for the Gambians, this CAN once again proved its irrationality to us, seeing the Cameroonians win 3-2 in added time, and take 2nd place in group C. One thing is sure, Samuel Eto'o's protégés will have no choice but to raise their level of play if they hope to worry Nigeria. They were also little reassured during their matches preceding the competition, suffering two draws against the Libyans and Zambians whom they are used to dominating.

The Nigerian list of 23 had already been talked about from the start of the competition, reporting numerous misunderstandings in the constitution of the group which is traveling to Ivory Coast. To begin with, the usual selected Ndidi (Leicester, 53 salts) and Umar Sadiq (11 salts) withdrew (injured), just like the serial Bundesliga scorer Boniface (12 pawns incl. VAT), replaced by Terem Moffi (Nice) who did not has still not played a single minute in this CAN. The only penalty scorer during the clash with Ivory Coast, PAOK resident William Troost-Ekong (5 goals in 66 caps) will probably not be on the scoresheet this evening, unlike one of the best world number 9, Osimhen (Naples, 21 goals in 29 caps). Chukwueze (AC Milan), Simon (Nantes, 3 league goals this season) and Onyeka (Brentford) started against Guinea-Bissau. Very present on the match sheets, the Leicester striker, Iheanacho (5 goals in the Championship) has still not played a single minute in this CAN (arrived injured). This Cameroonian team is struggling somewhat to renew itself over the years.

years. Despite the arrival of young players, the end of a cycle seems near, like the historic scorer Aboubakar (98 sel, 37 pawn) who should play his last CAN. After missing the first 3 matches, he should make his return to the group, just like Clinton N'jie. Among the captains of this team, we find the goalkeeper Onana (Manchester United) who should make his return, the defenders Wooh (Rennes), Moukoudi (AEK Athens), the midfielders Anguissa (Naples) and Kunde (Atromitos Athens) and the attackers Magri (Toulouse), and Toko Ekambi (Abha, 58 seats, 13 goals). As a reminder, Ganago (Nantes) and Mbeumo (Brentford) were not able to play in the competition, just like Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, 73 sels, 20 goals) who was not called up. The probable line-ups for Nigeria - Cameroon: Nigeria: Nwabali - Bassey, Omeruo, Ajayi - Aina, Aribo (or Iwobi), Onyeka, Sanusi (or Troost-Ekong) - Chukwenze, Simon - Osimhen Cameroon: Onana - Tolo, Castelletto, Wooh - Yongwa, Zambo Anguissa, Ntcham, Tchato - Magri, Toko Ekambi, N'Koudou.