Nigeria’s Super Eagles are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for a high-stakes encounter against arch-rivals Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions. Scheduled for Saturday, January 27, inside the Félix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, the Round of 16 clash promises to be a fierce battle for a coveted spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
With three previous AFCON triumphs to their name, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face a formidable opponent in Cameroon, who boast four AFCON titles and have historically proven to be a challenging adversary for the Nigerians, particularly in the 1984, 1988, and 2000 finals.
Despite key injuries affecting prominent players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Victor Boniface, Nigeria maintains a squad laden with talent, instilling confidence in their pursuit of a crucial victory over Cameroon.
The team, led by head coach Jose Peseiro, has been diligently refining strategies during training sessions to ensure they are well-prepared for the impending battle.
Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, having recovered from an injury that sidelined him from the initial group games, rejoined full-team training on Thursday, adding a boost to the attacking options.
Among the key decisions facing Peseiro is the choice for the left flank, with Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon making strong impressions during training.
In central defense, the trio of Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, and Calvin Bassey is expected to be maintained, supported by the defensive prowess of Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem.
While the Super Eagles have showcased defensive resilience by conceding only one goal in the group stage, attention is now turning to enhancing their attacking prowess.
With only one goal from open play in the tournament so far, the team is eager to make significant strides in the attacking third and secure their passage to the quarterfinals of AFCON 2023.
