From our special correspondent in Abidjan – Cameroon was beaten by Nigeria and a great Victor Osimhen during his round of 16 in Abidjan (2-0). The Super Eagles will face Angola, earlier winners of Namibia, for a place in the last four.
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The Super Eagles showed that they had the means to aim higher than the Indomitable Lions. Nigeria never doubted, Saturday January 27, against Cameroon, helped by Victor Osimhen living up to his status as African player of the year. If the Nigerian star did not score himself, Lookman scored twice to send his team into the quarters.
When Cameroon and Nigeria face each other in the Africa Cup, they are always moments for history. The confrontation between the Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions has transformed over time into a timeless classic, regardless of the form of the two teams.
The “Félicia” stadium in Abidjan witnessed the founding myth of this rivalry between the two giants, eight African Cups between them. In 1984, Cameroon won its first continental trophy, against Nigeria. The first of three finals won against its neighbor, followed by those of 1988 and especially 2000, where the Indomitable Lions had the audacity to win the title in Lagos.
Osimhen untenable
If before the match, the two coaches minimized the weight of this historic rivalry, the players on the field decided to take responsibility. They bring an intensity from the outset into the physical duels that is still rarely seen in this 2024 edition. Contacts that the referee does not hesitate to whistle when he judges them to be more virile than correct.
The Super Eagles quickly sent their armada to attack the cage of Ondoa, still starting in place of Onana, who once again became persona non grata in the Cameroonian selection. Their game plan seems simple: serve Victor Osimhen.
This is good: the 2023 African Ballon d’Or is everywhere. Receiving touches, on the wings, behind the defense, recovering and pressing, haranguing his partners… The Neapolitan has legs of fire and poses a permanent danger to a Cameroonian defense lacking confidence in this CAN, with almost two goals conceded per match on average.
But if Osimhen is everywhere, it is Ajayi who gets the ball across the goal line for the first time in the match. On a hazardous exit, Ondoa punches the ball straight at Iwobi. His shot is repelled by the Cameroonian goalkeeper, but the ball returns to Ajayi, who shoots in turn. If the “people’s goalkeeper” touches the ball, it is in the back of the net. But after a long celebration, the VAR withdraws the goal to Nigeria (8th) for offside.
The real opening of the score will wait for a high recovery from Osimhen. The 2020 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize comes in the way of Christopher Wooh and steals the ball. Unbalanced by a limit load, he remains standing to slide at Lookman. Ondoa sees the ball slip under his flank (36th, 1-0)
“Osimhen! Osimhen! Oshimen!”, the stands are not mistaken about the hero of the evening, on a mission to win this CAN for his country.
Cameroon powerless
On the other hand, if we think for a time that we have found the indomitable Lions, the “Continent” of football, the refused goal quickly puts a blow on their head. The Cameroonians once again show the limits displayed during the group stage. Captain Frank Zambo-Anguissa may be raking up all the balls in midfield, but the Lions have their claws sliding around the Nigerian surface, like Magri.
The parades performed by Nwabali can be counted on the fingers of a one-handed clapper. In desperation, the Cameroonians are increasing the charges on the Nigerian doorman. And finally, a huge buffer from N’Koudou forced him out, replacing Uzoho.
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Faced with the helplessness of his men, Rigobert Song throws the emblematic Vincent Aboubakar into the mix, just recovered from the injury which prevented him from playing at the start of the CAN. But its first appearance will be transparent and it is Nigeria which ends up folding the match by taking advantage of a free kick played quickly and concluded by Lookman (90th, 2-0).
Cameroon appeared incapable of reversing the course of history. Since the 2000 final, Nigeria has always won when it crossed paths with the Indomitable Lions in a decisive CAN match. With this victory, added to that against Ivory Coast in the pools, Nigeria and Victor Osimhen now look good as winners. Angola, its next opponent, has been warned.