Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-28 15:40:23
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire after defeating Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions. Thanks to a brace from Ademola Lookman, the three-time AFCON winners will now face Angola in the next round on Friday. Here are five interesting facts about the Eagles’ win over Cameroon:
– Super Eagles avenged defeat to Cameroon at the same venue 40 years ago: In the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria and Cameroon clashed at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan. Cameroon emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, claiming their first-ever AFCON title. However, on Saturday, the Eagles secured a 2-0 victory against Cameroon at the same stadium, with Lookman scoring a double.
– Super Eagles beat Cameroon by a two-goal margin for the first time at the AFCON: Prior to this game, Nigeria had beaten Cameroon three times at the AFCON. The first victory was in the third-placed playoff in 1992 with a score of 2-1. The Eagles also triumphed over Cameroon in the quarter-finals in 2004 with a 2-1 win and in the round of 16 in 2019 with a 3-2 scoreline. Saturday’s 2-0 victory marked the first time Nigeria beat Cameroon by a two-goal margin at the AFCON.
– First clean sheet for Super Eagles against Cameroon at the AFCON: In their previous seven AFCON meetings, Nigeria had failed to keep a clean sheet against Cameroon. However, this changed during Saturday’s 2-0 victory.
– Super Eagles have now beaten Cameroon in three consecutive AFCON meetings: The 2-0 win against Cameroon means Nigeria has emerged victorious in their last three meetings at the AFCON, following previous victories in 2004 and 2019.
– Super Eagles have finished third in every AFCON they’ve beaten Cameroon: Despite the excitement surrounding the Eagles’ win against Cameroon, it’s worth noting that in the three previous instances where they defeated Cameroon at the AFCON, Nigeria always finished in third place. Will this time be different? Only time will tell.
With this victory, Super Eagles fans are hopeful that the team will go all the way and win the AFCON title. Only time will tell if they can overcome this historic hurdle.
