Indomitable Lions head coach Rigobert Song has challenged his players to repeat their past historic feat when they face Nigeria on Saturday (today).
The Lions claimed their first African Cup of Nations title at the 1984 edition, edging past the Super Eagles 3-1 in a thrilling final played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
The same ground will host the Round of 16 fixture between both teams at the ongoing AFCON 2023 finals.
Song has rallied his players to go all out for a win in the game.
Read Also: AFCON 2023: We Will Give Our All To Beat Super Eagles — Moumbagna
“Cameroonians do not want to understand that we have a new generation of players. They must copy their elders,” the former defender told a press conference on Friday.
“The stadium on which we will play tomorrow (today) is the one which made it possible to write the history of Cameroon.
“We want to stay in history. We are here to go as far as possible in the competition.”
The highly anticipated encounter will kick-off at 9pm Nigeria time.
By Adeboye Amosu in Abidjan
6 Comments
According to Scorenigeria.com.ng, Peseiro’s philosophy is now called ‘Economic football’. It centres on sitting deep, soaking pressure and hitting opponents on the break with swift and effect counter attacks.
This for me is sharp departure from what I want to call his initial ‘Extravagant Football’ with its high press, expansive, front-foot attack attack philosophy.
Also, if media speculations are to be believed, Yusuf will start from the bench and Iheanacho will still not taste action as a punitive measure.
To be honest, whether Peseiro elects to be economical or extravagant, he just needs to win tomorrow. At least that will be an improvement on the last Afcon.
The irony of the matter is that Peseiro hasn’t strayed too far away from his prior philosophy in some sense. His midfield still accommodates just two players and his strike force has just one less player. Yes the Super Eagles started out sitting deep against Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau but as the match wore on they pressed higher at times.
The most significant departure is having 5 players when defending.
But we have to be economical. Yes I along with many Super Eagles fans would love to see a more expansive and vibrant football. But I guess Peseiro has done his risk-vs-reward analysis and concluded that it is way too risky with this bunch of players to position less than 5 players in defence. Also much extravagance hasn’t yielded results.
In a way, the proof is in the puff puff as the only game we conceded thus far in this tournament was the one we played 4 defenders. Conversely, it is in the only game we played ‘Extravagant Football’ that Osimhen scored with a great header.
That said, the Economic Football has to somehow resolve the austerity we are witnessing in our attacking sector. For without goals, there will be no prosperity.
If the story about the rift between Paseiro and Iheanacho is true, then the coach will have himself to blame if things go awry. This is no time for petty quarrels. We can’t let individual egos get in the way of victory. If any player doesn’t get on the field of play, it must be purely based on footballing reasons.
I was really wishing to see Iheanacho and Yusuf in the starting lineup today to add bite to the team, and Musa coming in at some point. Paseiro needs his entire arsenal today.
Reading between the lines, the Super Eagles want to finish Cameroon off within 90 minutes therefore rendering the availability of extra time redundant. This will be music to the ears of Super Eagles fans.
“What Nigerians should expect in this encounter against Cameroon is an outright win.” Said the Super Eagles media officer Babafemi Raji.
“We don’t want to go the extra mile by getting to extra-time. We just want to do justice within 90 minutes.We call on Nigerians to support us and pray for us,” he stressed.
I think many fans – even previous die hard critics of Jose Peseiro – are starting to warm to this team. Okay they have not be hugely exceptional but the discipline and organisation are there and the team appears to be moving in the right direction with purpose and intent making the dreams of lifting the Afcon ever so plausible by the day.
But more is needed if the Super Eagles are to overcome Cameroon tonight in the way of converting chances. Players like Chukwueze, Osihmen and Aribo have been singled out by some fans as needing improvements in their play. However the media chose to focus more on the interaction of players.
“Football is a team sport. We don’t look at departments or individuals in football,” stressed Raji. “We win, lose, or draw together. Against Cameroon, we will win together,” he said.
Which is true and also a noble way to look at it. But the exclusion of Nigerian players in Caf’s Group stage 11 suggests that no Nigerian players has stood out with earth shattering performances.
Individual application propels team performance which gives birth to resounding success. So we need the big guns to really come to the party tonight. If that happens then’s Raji’a ambitions of doing away with Cameroon in 90. Minutes might yet be realised.
deo’s Exclusive: Iwobi and Lookman Back, Iheanacho Frozen Out of Super Eagles Starting 11 Against Cameroon
Information reaching deo has it that Coach Jose Peseiro will make four changes in his Super Eagles starting XI for tonight’s epic AFCON R16 match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Reborn and assured William Ekong takes the place of Kenneth Omeruo, with midfield maestro Alex Iwobi reclaiming his place in underwhelming Joe Aribo’s place.
Ademola Lookman, will start on the left wing of the attack and Zaidu Sanusi reclaims his place at left back position of the team
The absence of Kelechi Iheanacho in the starting 11 is sustained.
Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has recovered from a thigh injury, but he will not be rushed back to the starting 11.
Peseiro has thus maintained almost the same players he has used at this tournament and he has also stuck to a 3-4-3 formation that has brought stability, organisation and clean sheets back in defence.
The system has also ensured the Super Eagles continue to crack open defences. They only now need to convert more chances to actual goals.
Super Eagles Starting XI (3-4-3) – Stanley Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, William Ekong (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi – Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon
Midfield maestro Iwobi, professor Deo midfield maestro Iwobi ok ooo, I will prefer Yusuf over Iwobi anytime. Yusuf brings more to the team, a better passer, better tackler, more energy, anyway the coach knows better. This’s Cameroon ooo, we need serious technical players to prosecute this game. I will recommend 4 4 2 against the lions. With iheanacho partners Osimihen upfront. Play Simon,Yusuf,onyeka,Osayi in the middle. Osayi yes because he’s more technical than chukwuweze.
Win is assured today, cameroun will surely go back home after todays match. Good Luck guys.