With just a day left to the international friendly game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, host of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, in Austria on Friday, the Super Eagles will be hoping to gain a psychological edge over them and also maintain their unbeaten record in their last four meetings in all competitions.
Completesports.com‘s Augustine Akhilomen X-rays five things to expect from Nigeria and Cameroon game.
Revenge In The Air For Cameroon
While many football lovers may consider this game as a mere international friendly game, the Indomitable Lions will be hoping to avenge the team’s elimination from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Recall that Nigeria smashed Cameroon 4-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo before holding them to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé.
Then in the 2019 AFCON, the Super Eagles edged Cameroon 3-2 in the Round of 16, to end their title dream. So this game is expected to be a game of revenge and the Indomitable Lions will be eager to overcome Nigeria in Austria on Friday.
Rohr’s maintaining Unbeaten Record Against Cameroon
Since taking over from Sunday Oliseh in 2016 after the team missed back-to-back 2015 and 2017 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, the German tactician has qualified the Super Eagles to the 2019 AFCON tournament.
More importantly, he has maintained an unbeaten record against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon since their first meeting on September 1, 2017, in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. Nigeria defeated Cameroon 4-0, played out a 1-1 draw in Yaounde before ousting them from the Round of 16 of 2019 AFCON, where the team won by 3-2.
Simy, Moffi, and Olayinka’s Chance To Prove Their Worth
After several media outcry for one of Europe’s most outstanding goal scorers to be recalled to the senior national team, Super Eagles coach, Rohr yielded to their demands by inviting Simy Nwankwo to the international friendly games against Cameroon and Mexico.
This may just be an ample opportunity for the Crotone top scorer to nail his position if he’s to get any other chances in the Super Eagles. The 29-year-old was involved in every single game played by Crotone in the Serie A in the recently concluded season, scoring 20 goals.
On the other hand, the Lorient striker made 28 appearances, where he scored 14 goals to enter the Top 10 in the scorers’ chart in his first season in Ligue 1. But for his goals, perhaps Lorient would have sunk in the relegation waters finishing just two places off the drop. Like Simy, Moffi will be hoping to grab his opportunity by impressing Rohr in order to compete for shirt with Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho.
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Finally, Peter Olayinka will also be battling for space in the attack when the team faces Cameroon on Friday. The Slavia Prague star, who has a decent Europa League outing in the just-concluded season, knows that failure to impress Rohr may end any hope of making the Super Eagles squad again.
Why Iwuala Must Start Against Cameroon
Having been handed a cameo role in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Squirrels of Benin and Crocodile of Lesotho, Anayo Iwuala should be giving the license to shoot down the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Friday in Austria.
The Enyimba star, who showed flashes of a superstar in those two games, has what it takes to outsmart the Indomitable Lions due to his speed, skills, and trickery. No doubt, the presence of Simon Moses could likely push him to the bench, however, Iwuala deserved a starting role.
Utilise All Your Substitutes
With no limitation to the number of substitutes in an international friendly game, Rohr must ensure he gives all the players the chance to express their talents against Cameroon. This is not a game where he should be thrift with his substitutes but ensure that 90% of the players invited have a feel of the game. After all, that’s the purpose of a friendly game.
6 Comments
What did Iwuala did in those games to deserve a starting berth? I need video evidence.
What’s Simy doing in the article?
@Augustine Akhilomen, are you really sure there’s no limitation to the number of substitutes in an international friendly game…? Someone pls educate me…..has FIFA changed the rules..?
@Dr Drey Once a FIFA international game goes past 5 substitutes, it will not be recognised by FIFA and the game will not garner points for rankings it will be seen as a training match organised by 2 associations. it is up to the countries themselves to decide if they want the game to count towards FIFA rankings. As weird as it sounds the number of substitutes used is a major tool Fifa uses to classify a friendly game as either a training match organised between two associations or an official FIFA International friendly exhibition match
We hope for the best but we have to limit our expectations.
Let us look deep into our midfielders we and then tell ourselves the truth.
Our strikers are good to go but we don’t have the play maker in the team which is Nwakali.
It is well. God bless Nigeria!!!
Shallow article!!
Why not go to Austria and start Iwuala..
Based on reports from SE camp, your report should focus on the new rave
“Marcus Abraham”
This reporter is confusing people substitutions for friendly matches are just 5 players, get ur fact right before u jump