Nigeria logically qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations after this 2-0 victory against Cameroon. Find the bests and flops of the meeting.
Tops
Victor Osimhen, le poison
As expected, Victor Osimhen was the player to watch on the Nigerian side. And he lived up to his reputation. Yet often lonely at the forefront of the attack, the Neapolitan caused a lot of problems for Cameroon’s defense. Author of numerous pressures and sharp calls, Victor Osimhen was also the decisive passer on Ademola Lookman’s opener (36th).
Ademola Lookman for the double
After Naples, we go to Bergamo. Ademola Lookman, Atalanta striker, stood out perfectly in this meeting thanks to his double. In a fairly closed meeting lacking rhythm, the rare opportunities were precious. Logically elected man of the match. This is also the first time that Nigeria has scored two goals in a single match in this CAN 2024.
The strength of Nigeria
Nigeria managed the meeting perfectly. Very effective offensively, the Super Eagles were also impeccable defensively. Certainly helped by Cameroon’s passivity, the Nigerians were calmer and more settled. It’s simple, Troost-Ekong’s teammates, the captain, were not put in danger once during this meeting.
Flops
The Cameroonian error on the opening score
On a throw-in, Oumar Gonzalez – Cameroon defender started for the first time during this CAN – receives the ball at the feet. But the Al-Raed player in Saudi Arabia takes too long between control and obtaining information. A mistake not to make against Victor Osimhen. The attacker steals the ball from the defender’s feet and then serves Lookman who strikes. The Cameroonian goalkeeper is on the trajectory but also misses. The ball is slowed but continues its journey towards the goal. Oumar Gonzalez returns at full speed but misses his clearance.
Lions less sharp than Eagles
On both sides, the pace was quite low. But it was quite legitimate to think that Cameroon would raise its voice, especially after returning from the locker room. Nope. At the end of the match, Benjamin Moukandjo – 57 caps with the Indomitable Lions and today a consultant for beIN Sports – sadly analyzes that Cameroon “could have played for hours, it wouldn’t have changed anything”. However, Karl Toko Ekambi prefers to say that his team “had control. […] That’s how it is, that’s life. We are not going to repeat the match”. A surprising reaction from the former Lyon player, especially when we know that Cameroon did not target the slightest shot in this meeting.
