The Super Eagles of Nigeria play bitter rivals Cameroon today in Uyo in the first of double-header qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, as both continental giants hope to brighten their chances of qualification for the Mundial in Russia.
The match kicks off at 5pm, while the reverse fixture is scheduled for September 4 at the Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde.
The Eagles lead Group B in the African qualifiers with maximum six points after victories against Zambia in Ndola (2-1) and Algeria in Uyo (3-1). But the Lions are second on two points after draws with the group’s other opponents.
The Eagles have triumphed in 11 of their 19 meetings with the Lions since both sides’ first clash in 1962 in the Nkrumah Cup, which the Nigerians won 3-1.
Cameroon have managed just four wins and four draws against their neigbours but the Lions have been the Eagles’ major albatross in continental football. Four of their victories against the Eagles had left football-crazy Nigerians seething, having stopped the Eagles from qualifying for Italia ’90 World Cup and riding on the Eagles in final matches to claim three Africa Cup of Nations titles.
However, the last time both sides met, a friendly affair in Brussels, the Eagles ran out 3-0 winners.
But both teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent times.
While Nigeria have failed to qualify for the AFCON since their third triumph in South Africa in 2013, Hugo Broos’ side earned their sixth continental title in February in Gabon with a relatively new squad after senior players shunned national invitation.
A relatively young Eagles side parading the likes of Kayode Olanrewaju, Chidozie Awaziem and Victor Osimhen in June fell 2-0 to Bafana Bafana in a 2019 AFCON qualifier in Uyo to further heighten the Eagles woes.
However, there is optimism that the Nigerian side can turn the table against their fierce rivals after Gernot Rohr called up more experienced players for the tie, in an apparent move to battle the highly physical visitors.
Captain Mikel Obi returns after being shut out by injury as well as fellow China-based forward Odion Ighalo. Mainz centre-back Leon Balogun, in-form Chelsea star Victor Moses and CSKA Moscow’s Aaron Samuel– who comes in for the injured Alex Iwobi – are also back in the team.
Former Eagles defender Taribo West says the return of the experienced players could turn around the fortunes of the team against the Lions.
“These players will bring more confidence and stability to the team. You don’t play Cameroon with boys,” Taribo stated.
Although Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi are out, officials said the squad is in high spirits.
“We will miss the injured players but it’s not going to affect us, as we have capable replacements for them. Aaron Samuel is a respected striker and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who will wear the number one shirt on match day, is a great keeper too,” a team official said.
Eagles backline, which would probably consist of Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu and Elderson Echiejile, depending on the formation of Rohr, would have powerful Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar to contend with.
The front man, who scored the winning goal in the AFCON final against Egypt, will be motivated to make amends against the Eagles after being criticised for a poor outing at the Confederations Cup.
Olympic bronze medallist, Abdullahi Shehu, as well as Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne Ebuehi, Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem are also available to fortify the defence.
England-based Wilfred Ndidi and Turkey-based duo Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Agu are also available in the midfield, while Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho, would lead the team’s attack.
The Lions would bank on captain Benjamin Moukandjo and winger Christian Bassogog, who have been inspirational for the young Lions, and both could prove vital for their side with their attacking forays. – Punch.
