Verdict: Nigeria win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
In what is seen to be the glamour tie of the African Cup of Nations so far this summer, former champions Nigeria and Cameroon will meet at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday evening.
Nigeria
Starting with Nigeria, after coming off the back of a huge shock in their 2-0 loss against a Madagascar side ranked 108th in the FIFA rankings and making their African Cup of Nations debut, there is no doubt that Head Coach Gernot Rohr will demand immediate response on Saturday. While the Super Eagles do boast a squad that is glittering with talent from across Europe, the three-time AFCON champions have failed to find their best form out in Egypt this summer. While back-to-back close-fought 1-0 wins over Guinea and Burundi may have secured Nigeria a route out of Group B, their German boss will be slightly worried about his sides’ form in the final third. The Green and Whites have managed to record just a pair of goals in over 450 minutes of action across all competitions.
Team News
Nigeria are expected to welcome some key first-team players back into their starting XI for this match after naming a second-string side against Madagascar.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo are among the names likely to return.
Cameroon
As for Cameroon, much like their opponents this weekend, the defending African champions have struggled to find their feet two years later. Having to settle for a second-place finish behind Ghana in Group F, Head Coach and former AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf saw his side once again flatter to deceive in their 0-0 draw against Benin last weekend, a nation ranked 43 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Now playing out back-to-back 0-0 draws, it is also worth noting that Cameroon have won just one of their last four matches across all competitions. Yet to find their best form out in Egypt this summer, Les Lions will also be hugely concerned by their worrying record against the Super Eagles. While Cameroon may have managed to pick up a 1-1 draw in a match they were highly outplayed in back in 2017, the Blacks and Reds have failed to win any of their previous five matches against Nigeria, losing four of those contests.
Team News
Seedorf made four changes for their final group game against Benin and could welcome Clinton N’Jie and Gaetan Bong back into this starting XI for this one.
Key Factors to Consider
- Nigeria have scored just two goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
- Cameroon are coming off the back of consecutive 0-0 draws.
- Nigeria are unbeaten in their last five matches against Cameroon, winning four of those contests.
- Cameroon have also scored just one goal against Nigeria in their last three meetings, conceding eight in return.
- Their last nine combined matches have seen both teams fail to find the net at full-time.
Conclusion
While neither side have managed to find their stride out in Egypt this summer, Nigeria will be looking to immediately bounce back from their shock defeat against Madagascar in their Group B finale. Given the Super Eagles’ stellar record against their opponents this weekend, we’re backing Gernot Rohr’s side to come out on top and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Verdict: Nigeria win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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