AFCON 2023: Ranking the Top five goalkeepers to watch at the tournament
Football![AFCON 2023: Ranking the Top five goalkeepers to watch at the tournament](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/934a346f53d7dc8c.webp?v=1)
Nigeria’s bid to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title has been made harder following the round of 16 pairing with long-term rivals Cameroon.
The Super Eagles' failure to finish as winners of Group A has landed Jose Peseiro’s team a difficult pairing in the first knockout phase of AFCON 2023 as they have to contend with the Indomitable Lions.
According to the Vanguard, Nigeria’s fixture with Cameroon was confirmed after the five-time AFCON winners secured a 3-2 win in their last Group game against Gambia to displace Guinea and finish runners-up in Group C.
AFCON 2023: Ranking the Top five goalkeepers to watch at the tournament
FootballThe round of 16 encounter, which will be the 26th meeting between both countries in all competitions, will be held at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Saturday, January 27.
Nigeria has lost three AFCON finals to Cameroon, but the last time both teams met in the round of 16, the Super Eagles triumphed 3-2 in 2019 thanks to a brace from Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi sealing the win.
18 Mar 1984: Cameroon won their first AFCON by thrashing Nigeria in the final 3-1, kicking off a rivalry that would captivate football fans for decades, Goalball reports.
17 Mar 1988: Cameroon and Nigeria played an entertaining 1-1 draw in the group stages of the 1988 AFCON in Morocco as both teams would eventually meet again in the final.
27 Mar 1988: The Green Eagles lost a second AFCON final to the Indomitable Lions, losing 1-0 in Casablanca, Morocco.
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Football25 Jan 1992: Nigeria turned the tide in this encounter, emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, signalling a shift in the balance of power.
13 Feb 2000: Nigeria lost a third AFCON final to Cameroon, losing via penalties after both teams had played an entertaining 2-2 draw in front of the Nigerian supporters.
08 Feb 2004: Nigeria secured a crucial 2-1 victory on Cameroonian soil, marking a significant milestone in their AFCON rivalry.
06 Jul 2019: In their most recent AFCON clash, Nigeria emerged triumphant with a thrilling 3-2 win, knocking out the Indomitable Lions in the round of 16.
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nigeria's opponent for the Round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast has been confirmed following the completion of Group C's final games.
The three-time African champions will face Cameroon in the next round of the competition, as the Indomitable Lions finished second to Guinea on goal difference.
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles of Nigeria arrive in Ivory Coast ahead of tournament
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