Cameroon vs Nigeria Preview: Winning midfield battle key to Nigeria’s success.

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By Bunmi Blair

The Super Eagles of Nigeria look set to complete a double over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and could become the first African side to secure a place at the Russia 2018 World Cup today.

A win for Nigeria will take them to 12 points in a group that will also see Algeria host Zambia on Tuesday and with Algeria expected to win or pick at least one point in the game. If these happen, then the Super Eagles would have booked their place at the Russia 2018 FIFA world cup with two games to spare.
But a draw or a loss for the Super Eagles means they will have to wait for their next fixture which is at home against Zambia on October 7, 2017, to try and secure a place in Russia.

Super Eagles captain Mikel John Obi says why wait till next month when all they need to do is to beat Cameroon in Yaounde?
“We are just very keen to finish what we started. We started a job in Uyo and it is time to finish it. If we can pick the World Cup ticket by Monday, why wait any longer?
“We are all very confident because we know our ability and what we are ready to bring to the party,” Mikel said.

The Eagles had comprehensively walloped the reigning African champions 4-0 three days ago, leaving the Indomitable Lions with just two points from their first three games in group B and with virtually nothing more to play for today but pride against the high riding Nigerian side.
The Super Eagles are at full strength and can count on experienced players like Captain Mikel John Obi, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and also the full complement of younger players like Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Leon Balogun and Troost Ekong for this game.

Nigeria clearly is the more confident side right now and they’re unbeaten in 33 world Cup qualifiers spanning more than a decade while Cameroon are without a win in four world Cup qualifiers coming into this encounter with their last win being in November 2015, a 3-0 win away in Niger Republic.
The Super Eagles have the superior firepower and averages 2.2 goals per game in their last five World Cup qualifiers while Cameroon averages one goal per game in their last five world cup qualifiers games.
The defensive solidity that helped Cameroon win AFCON in February 2017 now seems to have deserted them, the Hugo Broos led team have shipped in 14 goals in their last five games in all competitions and sure had a lot of tired legs in their 4-0 loss to Nigeria three days ago.

Though the Indomitable Lions seem down they still have their pride to play for. Ahead of the game against Nigeria, Hugo Broos needs to find a credible replacement for France based midfielder Zambo Anguissa who was directly responsible for three of the four goals they conceded three days ago.
It was obvious that Cameroon’s midfield led by Sébastien Siani, Zambo Anguissa, Moumi Ngamaleu lost their plot against Nigeria’s Mikel John Obi, Ogenyi Onazi and Wilfred Ndidi. The Cameroonians failed to create a clear cut chance for a front trio of Vincent Aboubakar, Christian Bassogog, and Benjamin Moukandjo throughout the game.
A change of formation from a traditional 4-2-3-1 to a more attacking-minded 4-4-2 might offer Vincent Aboubakar more support upfront.

For the Super Eagles, there is no need to change a winning team, but the Eagles defenders should guide against unnecessary cautions as this could reduce their effectiveness. The Cameroonian full-backs Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Adolphe Teikeu both got booked within the first 26 minutes in the 4-0 trashing and could hardly commit to tackles throughout the remaining part of the game. If Cameroon will score today, they are more likely to do so via set-pieces, so the Eagles must concede fewer corner kicks and guide against set-pieces that could lead to aerial duels.

I expect the Gernot Rohr led Super Eagles to win this one but they might be unable to keep a clean sheet. Once again Victor Moses, Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon or even Ahmed Musa should win this for Nigeria.
The game kicks off at 6pm Nigeria time.

Best Regards

Bunmi Blair


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