Cameroon legend Roger Milla has predicted a fierce showdown between his country and Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
The two African football powerhouses are set to clash in the Round of 16 of AFCON 2024 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Saturday.
The Super Eagles have emerged victorious in the last two encounters between the teams at the AFCON finals.
Milla, who played for the Cameroon team that beat the Super Eagles in the finals in 1984 and 1988, declined to predict the outcome of the upcoming game.
“It’s going be an intense game. It’s a game between two brothers who know each other very well,” he said
The 71-year-old emphasised the challenge of predicting the winner at this time.
“It’s difficult to predict who is going to win the game at the moment,” he concluded.
All-time Nigeria vs Cameroon stats
In the 20 matches contested between these two African football giants, the Super Eagles have demonstrated their superiority, achieving 12 wins, suffering five losses, and securing two draws.
Despite this, the Indomitable Lions have clinched three of their five AFCON titles by defeating the Super Eagles in the finals of 1984, 1988, and 2000.
The upcoming Round of 16 clash will mark the eighth encounter between these two teams in the competition's history.
Both teams finished as runners-up in their groups, setting the stage for an exciting showdown on Saturday.
Aboubakar and Njie return for Cameroon
The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) earlier on Thursday revealed in a Facebook post that Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie have resumed group training and are now ready for the remainder of the tournament.
The pair, who have been sidelined due to injury, have not yet had the opportunity to play for the five-time champions of the competition.
They will be eager to make an impact in the match against the Super Eagles.
What to expect from the Nigeria vs Cameroon clash?
They are neighbours, but for prestige, honour and supremacy, they will engage each other in a fierce battle, all in a quest to rule African football.
Both nations have a rich history as well as legions of bigoted fans whose voices are heard regardless where their nations play. They’ve been there before – they’ve seen it before.
Their success stories know no bounds. They have made indelible imprints in their exploits.
In the least terms, the intensity and immensity of their rivalry are aptly described as ‘sui generis' and unparalleled that cripples a whole nation and takes a toll on economic activities in anticipation of a gruelling and scintillating duel.
Amid the pomp and pageantry that will characterise the game, one area that will raise eyebrows and captivate the many football fans who troop to the stadium and millions who will be glued to their TV sets and computers will be the attacking department of both nations.
The Super Eagles have Victor Osimhen in their fold, while the Indomitable Lions attack will be spearheaded by Aboubakar. Both need no introduction as far as this clash is concerned.
Whichever way you look at it, Aboubakar and Osimhen are in for a match of their lives, a match of destiny, one that could shoot one into prominence and one that could taint a promising career.
Who will be the hero? Who will be the villain? Who will have the bragging rights?
Let the debate begin.
