Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallist, Abiodun Obafemi, has backed Nigeria to beat old foes Cameroon when both sides clash in the round of 16 of the ongoing AFCON 2023 on Saturday at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
The Indomitable Lions emerged as the Super Eagles opponents in a dramatic twist of events on Tuesday, beating Gambia 3-2 to confirm their place in the next round. They finished second in Group C behind Senegal with four points, just as Nigeria were also runners up in Group A behind surprise package Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria advanced to the last 16 of the AFCON tournament on Monday after a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in their last group game as Equatorial Guinea hammered hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 to finish top of Group A.
Saturday’s clash between Nigeria and Cameroon will be the first time both teams will come up against one each since they last met at the AFCON in 2019.
A brace from Odion Ighalo and an Alex Iwobi strike helped the Eagles to a 3-2 win over the Indomitable Lions in Egypt.
Both sides have been involved in classic clashes at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Lions beating the Eagles thrice in the final to win the biennial tournament in 1984, 1988 and 2000.
Nigeria had the upper hand in 1992, beating the Lions in the third-place match at the championship in Senegal.
The Eagles also defeated Cameroon in the quarter-finals at the Tunisia 2004 edition before the 2019 victory in Egypt.
Speaking ahead of the high-anticipated Saturday clash, Obafemi said he was confident the Eagles would end up on the victorious side again.
“Honestly speaking, I think this is the best time to get another one over the Cameroonians and dominate them,” Obafemi told The PUNCH.
“The Lions that I saw at this AFCON are not roaring the way we expected them to and this is the best opportunity to stamp our authority and show that we are superior to them.
“Looking at the three games the Eagles played in the group stage, we know they didn’t live up to expectations but I love their tactical discipline and I think that will see us through because this is a team that on a very good day can play beautiful football. I think we are ready and I am confident that the Eagles will feast on the Lions when they meet on Saturday.”
