Nigerian football legends Olusegun Odegbami and Garba Lawal have offered crucial advice to the Super Eagles as they gear up for the Africa Cup of Nations’ Round of 16 encounter against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Abidjan on Sunday.
The Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny is set for another epic Nigeria vs. Cameroon battle, precisely 40 years after both teams clashed in the 1984 AFCON final on the same turf.
Odegbami, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON-winning squad, emphasized the need for extreme caution, focus, discipline, and self-belief from the Super Eagles.
Reflecting on the Lions’ late surge against The Gambia, he acknowledged that Cameroon should not be underestimated and stressed the importance of clinical finishing for Nigeria.
“We may say that Cameroon have not pulled up any trees at this tournament, but the way they turned the game around against The Gambia sends a message.
They are not to be taken for granted. I watched their game against Guinea and it was a fight-to-finish. We have been creating a lot of opportunities in our games but this time, we have to be clinical.
“Cameroon could prove to be a different proposition from the teams we have played against at this competition. Apart from the rivalry between our two countries, the present generation of Indomitable Lions have a point to prove.
They want to be seen in the garbs of the likes of Rigobert Song Bahanang (who is their coach), Samuel Eto’o Fils, Patrick Mboma and Geremi Njitap, and going further back, the likes of Roger Milla, Theophile Abega, Gregoire Mbida and Francois Omam Biyick.”
Lawal, who faced the Lions four times during his career, emphasized the significance of self-belief for the Super Eagles.
He encouraged the team to approach the game with confidence, stating that belief in themselves would be crucial in securing victory.
“They must go in there believing in themselves to do the job. Self-confidence is a good feeling when approaching a game like this. I see the Super Eagles getting past the Cameroonians if they believe in themselves and keep it tight at the back.”
Nigeria and Cameroon have a rich history at the AFCON, having clashed seven times, with each team winning thrice and one draw.
The Super Eagles emerged victorious in their last AFCON meeting during the Round of 16 in Egypt four years ago, winning 3-2.
As both teams returned to training, the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny is also preparing to witness another historic encounter.
The venue previously hosted the 1984 AFCON final, where Cameroon secured a 3-1 victory over Nigeria.
The advice from Odegbami and Lawal comes as a valuable source of wisdom for the Super Eagles, emphasizing the importance of discipline, focus, and self-confidence as they face the challenge of the Indomitable Lions.
