Nigeria vs Cameroon: AFCON Round of 16 clash set to reignite historic rivalry

In a highly-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Nigeria is set to face arch-rivals Cameroon.

Both teams secured second place in their respective groups, setting the stage for a titanic battle with a rich history.

Kickoff is 9pm on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Match Facts:

• The fixture has been an AFCON final three times before (1984, 1988, and 2000), with Nigeria winning the last encounter in the 2019 Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory.
• While Cameroon won two of their first three AFCON matches against Nigeria, recent history has seen them lose three of the last four encounters.
• Nigeria, participating in their 15th consecutive AFCON tournament, has reached the knockout stages but faced elimination in their last two knockout ties.
• Cameroon’s recent knockout games have gone to penalties, experiencing both victory and defeat in their last two penalty shootouts.
• Nigeria has won six of their last eight AFCON matches but suffered their only defeat in the last 16 stage in the 2021 edition against Tunisia.
• Despite conceding six goals in the group stage, Cameroon progressed to the knockout stage, marking the first time they advanced with a negative goal difference in AFCON.
• Nigeria holds the record for playing (40) and winning (22) the most matches in the AFCON knockout stages.
• Each of Cameroon’s last 21 goals in AFCON, excluding own goals, has been scored by players playing in either Saudi Arabia or France.
• Victor Osimhen, a key player for Nigeria, had the most shots and chances created combined in the group stage.
• Cameroon’s Georges-Kévin Nkoudou led the group stages in chances created, marking a standout performance for the team.

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