Nigeria vs Cameroon
The three-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations against the holders.
SBOBET fans will know from that introduction alone that this last 16 tie has the potential to produce plenty of Africa Cup of Nations highlights.
Clarence Seedorf’s side play Gernot Rohr’s side in Alexandria with the hosts Egypt potentially waiting in the quarter-finals.
Talking Points
While both nations have shown only in bursts their talent, they both have genuine claims to be crowned Africa’s finest this summer.
Even though they were stripped of hosting the tournament, five-time winners Cameroon will be determined to prove they remain number one.
The Indomitable Lions may have been fairly goal-shy as of late but they can always grab a goal – with the likes of Clinton N’Jie, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Christian Bassogog in their ranks – which means their ability to keep clean sheets should hold them in good stead.
It helps that their last line of defence is the highly-rated keeper Andre Onana who enjoyed a stellar campaign with Ajax last season and has now further enhanced his reputation with a trio of clean sheets in Egypt.
After an opening 2-0 win over Guinea, the defending champions were held to 0-0 draws by Ghana and Benin.
Yet former Dutch star Seedorf deflected media criticism away from his misfiring forwards, saying: “Sometimes teams do not score for weeks and forwards do not score for months.”
They also have the added determination to show 2015 was no flash in the pan and will not relinquish their title without a fight.
In contrast, Nigeria come into this tie after something of an embarrassment.
With full respect to their opponents, Madagascar’s victory was one of the great shocks in the tournament’s history and has not gone down well with Nigerian supporters.
Yes, the Super Eagles were much changed having already qualified for the last 16, but they were humbled and, after labouring to wins in their first two games without any of the star names firing, there’s plenty for Rohr to ponder.
They inevitably have to quickly put that traumatic experience behind them and remember they remain a talented nation with the likes of former Chelsea man John Obi Mikel, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester and ex-Foxes ace Ahmed Musa available.
They will also know that Cameroon have not exactly set the footballing world alight themselves of late.
Seedorf will almost certainly lose his job if they fail to reach at least the quarter-finals and, since his appointment alongside former Ajax and Netherlands team-mate Patrick Kluivert, he has often found it difficult to rouse the Indomitable Lions.
Two inconsistent nations looking for consistency. For one, events in the Alexandria Stadium will mean an earlier than anticipated exit.
History
This will be the seventh encounter between Nigeria and AFCON holders Cameroon and the record in this tournament could barely be closer.
Indeed, it’s perfectly balanced with each team winning twice and the other two games ending in draws, although Cameroon triumphed in one of those on penalties (the 2000 Final).
The Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup ahead of the Indomitable Lions, beating them 4-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away, before performing with credit at Russia 2018.
Overall, Nigeria have the edge with 11 successes to Cameroon’s four and a further seven draws.
Their most recent meeting came in that World Cup qualifying draw in September 2017 when Moses Simon put Nigeria ahead before Vincent Aboubakar equalised from the penalty spot.
Their last meeting in this tournament came in the 2004 quarter-finals.
On that occasion, Nigeria were 2-1 winners in a match which featured some big names.
Samuel Eto’o had put Cameroon in front but Jay Jay Okocha (so good they named him twice!) quickly equalised and John Utaka netted a second half winner.
Before that, their tournament record against each other was that 2000 final.
Eto’o and Patrick Mboma had fired Cameroon into a 2-0 lead only for Raphael Chukwu and Okocha to haul Nigeria level.
Cameroon then won 4-3 on spot-kicks in the final in Lagos.
Betting Tip
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Nigeria vs Cameroon | Cameroon 1X2 @ 2.91 |
| July 07, 00:00 (GMT+8) |
Africa Cup of Nations betting odds show little to choose between these two.
You can get Asian Handicap odds on Nigeria -0.25 @ 2.16 and Cameroon 0.00 @ 2.08.
Double Chance or Draw is tight too with the best odds relatively low with Cameroon or Draw @ 1.44.
A repeat of their most recent meeting 22 months ago – correct score 1-1 – will payout @ 4.80.
It’s 1X2 where I’m opting with attractive odds of 1X2 Nigeria @ 2.43 and 1X2 draw @ 2.77.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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