This
evening in Uyo, it will be a top-of-the-table clash when the Super Eagles of
Nigeria take on reigning African Champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon,
in a World Cup qualifier, at the ‘nest of champions.’ The game will be the
first leg of a double header against the Cameroonians in just four days, as the
return leg comes up in Yaoundé, next Monday.
The importance of
the task ahead for the Nigerian team cannot be over emphasized as they know
that four points out of a possible six will see them with one foot in Russia
for next year’s World Cup. Nigeria currently tops the group with six points,
followed by Cameroon with two points, and Algeria and Zambia with one point
each.
Winning
this game will provide a clear 7-point lead serving as a huge morale booster
for the Super Eagles’ reverse leg. Anything short of this will be a huge
setback as it will quickly take away the team’s current position of power as
well as the team’s qualification fate.
We have a full
house already in Uyo and the ‘big boys’ are also very ready and amped for this
fixture. The likes of Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo and Victor Moses, who were not
part of the defeat to South Africa in the AFCON qualifiers, are here for this
one, while Hapoel Be’er Sheva hit-man, Tony Nwakaeme is also in the team after
getting his first call-up. From all indications, the Super Eagles are ready for
the Indomitable Lions but let’s take a look at our common history.
We all know the
Cameroonians and their robust style of football. We’ve come up against them 20
times and in those 20 games, we have won 10, lost four and drawn six. We might
have a winning record against them, but in competitive games, their victories
against us have been more impactful. They beat the Eagles in two AFCON finals
and drew a third one before going on to win on penalties.
The lions stopped
Nigeria from qualifying for the Italia 90 World Cup in a 1-0 final qualifier in
Yaoundé. However, that has been the only victory over the Super Eagles in four
World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria has two victories and the other game ended in a
draw. This new crop of Indomitable Lions were not considered as heavyweights on
the continent a year ago, but since their triumph at this year’s AFCON in
Gabon, they cannot be ignored. They have some very talented and key players
that can damage and dampen the Nigerian mood if they are allowed to flourish.
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