Nigeria is set to face Cameroon at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. The clash, scheduled for this Saturday evening, will witness two football powerhouses of the continent battling for a spot in the quarterfinals. The stakes are high as either Nigeria or Cameroon, both with rich footballing histories, will bow out early in the knockout stage.
Nigeria, undefeated in the group stage and finishing second in their group, is led by coach José Peseiro, who has opted for a 3-4-3 formation.
The defensive trio consists of Troost-Ekong, Bassey, and Ajayi, with Onyeka and Iwobi anchoring the midfield. Aina and Zaidu will operate on the flanks, while Lookman joins the attacking duo of Osimhen and Simon.
On the other side, Cameroon, securing a place in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, navigated a dramatic journey.
Under the guidance of coach Rigobert Song, Cameroon maintains a 3-4-3 setup similar to their thrilling encounter against Gambia.
Ondoa takes the goalkeeping position, guarded by a defensive trio of Castelletto, Wooh, and Gonzalez. Ngamaleu and Nouhou will provide width, while Zambo Anguissa and Ntcham hold the midfield.
The attacking trio comprises Toko Ekambi, Magri, and N’Koudou.
The match, expected to be closely contested, holds historical significance as both Nigeria and Cameroon have a rich AFCON pedigree.
Nigeria has secured the AFCON title three times, while Cameroon stands as one of the most successful nations on the continent with five championships.
Football enthusiasts worldwide can follow the live commentary of this thrilling encounter on Foot Mercato, starting at 9 p.m. (GMT).
As the AFCON drama unfolds, only one of these football giants will progress, adding another chapter to the tournament’s storied history.
