It’s been a ding-dong back and forth affair between the two countries as Cameroon hit Nigeria on the jugular thrice (in 1984,88 and 2000) in the final game of the Africa Cup of Nations to lift the trophy.
Sunday Oliseh and his wards will try to save face after losing against DR Congo on Thursday in what will be Sunday Oliseh’s fourth game in charge.
The Super Eagles put up a poor display as the Leopards led by Dieumerci Mbokani ran away 2-0 winners on the night.
Eagles fans need something to cheer about
Cameroon fared a bit better on Thursday night albeit they played Jupiler Liga side KV Oostende. The Lions won 3-1 with goals from Aurelin Chedjou, Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie.
Any game between Nigeria and Cameroon is always laced with fire works and takes the stance of derby of sorts with both sides always having a go at each other.
Sunday’s day, though a friendly, wouldn’t exactly follow the script if previous matches are anything to go by.
The last time both sides met at full international level, Nigeria ran out 2-1 winners in a very entertaining game in the quarter-finals of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations held in Tunisia.
A sublime Jay Jay Okocha free kick inspired Nigeria to come back from a goal down to win the game 2-1 and get into the semi-final of the tournament.
Flash back; Quarter final, 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisia
Cameroon 1 [Samuel Eto'o 42) Nigeria 2 (Jay Jay Okocha 45+3, John Utaka 73]
Line ups:
Cameroon: Idriss Carlos Kameni; Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe, Bill Tchato, Rigobert Song, Lucien Mettomo; Timothee Atouba, Modeste Mbami, Geremi Fotso Njitap, 1Eric Djemba Djemba; Samuel Eto'o, Patrick Mboma
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Joseph Yobo, Isaac Okoronkwo, George Abbey, Ifeanyi Udeze; Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, Garba Lawal, Seyi Olofinjana; John Utaka, Osaze Odemwingie
Nigeria and Cameroon have met 19 times at full international level with Nigeria having the upper hand having won eight of those matches with Cameroon wining four and seven have been drawn
Previous matches:
April 1960 Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0
December 1962 Nigeria 3 Cameroon 1
April 1963 Cameroon 1 Nigeria 3
August 1967 Nigeria 1 Cameroon 1
December 1968 Nigeria 1 Cameroon 1
December 1968 Cameron 2 Nigeria 3
January 1975 Nigeria 1 Cameroon 0
July 1978 Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0
February 1980 Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0
March 1984 Cameroon 3 Nigeria 1
March 1988 Nigeria 1 Cameroon 1
March 1988 Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0
June 1989 Nigeria 2 Cameroon 0
August 1989 Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0
January 1992 Nigeria 2 Cameroon 1
August 1997 Nigeria 1 Cameroon 0
February 2000 Nigeria 2 Cameroon 2 (Cameroon won 4-3 on penalties, Final, Afcon 2000)
June 2003 Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0
February 2004 Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2
Form coming into the game;
Nigeria: L W D W D L
Cameroon: W W D W W W
Team news:
Cameroun will miss the services of the trio of Eyong Enoh, Jo?l Matip and Eric Maxime-Choupo Mouting
Nicolas N'koulou is also doubtful for the game against the Super Eagles as he is yet to be fully fit after a knock.
Victor Moses and Kenneth Omerou, initially announced in the squad for the game have both pulled out due to injury while fist choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has announced his retirement from international football after a misunderstanding with the coach.
Nigeria will welcome Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo into the squad as Oliseh shores up his depleted defence which saw Shehu Abdullahi, a midfielder, play as a centre back against DR Congo on Thursday.
Godfrey Oboabona might also get a look in if he can get to Belgium on time after visa hitches meant the centre back missed the game against the Leopards of DR Congo.
Key players:
Vincent Aboubakar: The FC Porto striker is in fine form as he has started the Portuguese on a good note banging in goals for his club and has also put in a decent shift in the Uefa Champions League.
The former Sporting Garoua striker is a very strong and physically imposing with a good eye for goal. His positioning is also top notch as he finds himself in good areas of the opposition box to create havoc.
Ahmed Musa: Captain of the Nigeria side who has taken over the leadership of the team from Vincent Enyeama who this week announced his international retirement.
Musa has incredible pace to burn even though his delivery of crosses remains a lot to be desired.
He has scored five goals for his team CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League and was recently on target in the Uefa Champions League.
He usually plays through the middle for his club but used primarily on the flanks for Nigeria. On his day can destroy any defence with his pace and energy on the field of play.
Teams;
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Estoril, Portugal)
Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England)
Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Fabrice Ondoa (Barcelona),Guy Ndy Assembe (AS Nancy),Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam)
Defenders: Allan Nyom (Watford), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas N’Kolou (Olympique Marseille), Seb Bassong (Norwich City), Fail Collins (Dinamo Bucharest), Mandjang Kombi (Union de Doula),Ambrose Bitolo Oyongo (Montreal Impact)
Midfielders:Stephane Mbia (Trabzonspor) Felix Eboa Eboa (Paris St Germain) Cedric Loe (AL-Sailiya),Sebastian Siani (KV Oostende), Dani Ndi (Sporting Gijon),Edgar Salli (St. Gallen)
Forwards: Benjamin Moukandjo (Lorient). Leonard Kweukwe (Caykur Rizespor), Clinton Njie (Tottenham Hotspur), Jacques Zoua (Ajaccio), Vincent Aboubacar (FC Porto), Aboubakar Oumarou (Partizan Belgrade)
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