The biggest match of the first knockout round at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Alexandria on Saturday, when Nigeria take on title holders Cameroon. The two nations share a long-standing rivalry, with Cameroon defeating Nigeria in no less than three Africa Cup of Nations finals, in 1984, 1988 and 2000. However, Nigeria did hammer Cameroon 4-0 in the qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup and have won four of the last six direct matches in all competitions.
Nigeria had a pretty slow start at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They grabbed 1-0 wins over Burundi and Guinea at the start of the group stage, but then lost 2-0 to surprise package Madagascar and finished second in the group table. Head coach Gernot Rohr was perhaps too confident ahead of the match against Madagascar, he made five changes to his starting eleven and that might have cost them the result. That was their second defeat in twelve matches after the 2018 World Cup.
Defending champions Cameroon have much to prove to their fans after having missed the 2018 World Cup, but so far they haven't been too impressive. They started the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau and then recorded goalless draws against Ghana and Benin to secure a second-place finish in the group. The Cameroonian national team is managed by former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, assisted by former team-mate Patrick Kluivert.
Probable line-ups:
Nigeria: Akpeyi - Awaziem, Omeruo, Balogun, Aina - Etebo, Ndidi - Simon, Iwobi, Musa - Ighalo
Cameroon: Onana - Fai, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Yaya, Oyongo - Zambo Anguissa, Mandjeck, N'Jie - Choupo-Moting - Bahoken, Toko Ekambi
My prediction:
I expect a low-scoring match, Cameroon are rock-solid at the back and Nigeria didn't seem too threatening in attack so far. I believe that Cameroon will be able to snatch a narrow 1-0 victory.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Nigeria win - 2.50
Draw - 2.90
Cameroon win - 3.10
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