AFCON 2023: Roger Milla Weighs In on Cameroon vs Nigeria Round of 16 Clash

• Cameroon legend Roger Milla has previewed the Cameroon vs Nigeria Round of 16 clash
• The two nations have been rivals for several decades and meet again on the biggest stage
• Cameroon have handed the Super Eagles some of their most painful defeats in the AFCON

Cameroon icon, Roger Milla, is looking forward to the Cameroon vs. Nigeria showdown in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The two arch-rivals with eight AFCON titles meet on Saturday, January 27, renewing a decades-long rivalry on the biggest stage.

Roger Milla has faced Nigeria before in his playing days. He won the AFCON twice with the Indomitable Lions in 1984 and 1988.

They beat the Super Eagles in the 1984 final to win their first-ever AFCON title and then repeated that feat in 1988. Cameroon also beat Nigeria again in the 2000 final to win their third AFCON title. Milla was in the team that won the 1984 and 1988 editions.

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Milla says the encounter will be difficult for both sides.

“It’s going be an intense game. It’s a game between two brothers, who know each other very well,” via Complete Sports. “It’s difficult to predict who is going to win the game at the moment.”

Cameroon vs Nigeria Preview

Nigeria heads into this clash after a comfortable group stage, winning two and drawing one of their three games. They scored three goals, with one of them coming in open play.

Meanwhile, Cameroon were on the brink of elimination, but a comeback 3-2 win over Gambia saw them reach the knockout round, per Opta Analyst. Their performances were lethargic and will need to up the ante against a solid Nigerian side.

Cameroon won their fifth title in 2017, while Nigeria won their third crown in 2013. However, things are a bit different in Ivory Coast this time around.

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Cameroon's squad has declined in quality, and their talismanic striker, Vincent Aboubakar, has struggled with injuries.

On the other hand, Nigeria are struggling to score goals despite having one of the best strikers in the world, Victor Osimhen. The Napoli star has scored their only goal from open play.

Aboubakar to return vs Nigeria?

Sports Brief earlier reported that Vincent Aboubakar could be back after recovering from injury.

Aboubakar missed all three group games but could return against Nigeria. This will be music to the ears of Cameroon fans, considering their team has struggled to score goals.

The 32-year-old finished as the top scorer in the 2021 edition and could be Cameroon's missing piece.