AFCON 2023: Gernot Rohr Predicts Cameroon vs Nigeria Round of 16 Clash

• Nigeria and Cameroon clash in the Round of 16 at the 2023 AFCON this weekend
• Ex-Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr believes his former side will beat Cameroon
• The Indomitable Lions have defeated Nigeria on this grandest stage three times

Cameroon versus Nigeria, one of Africa's greatest rivalries, kicks off on Saturday, January 27, in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has tipped the three-time champions to win the game but warned them against underestimating the Indomitable Lions.

Rohr was Nigeria's coach when they beat their bitter rivals 3-2 at the same stage in the 2019 edition in Egypt. He believes his former team will beat Cameroon.

"They have now the best player in Africa. So I'm sure that they will qualify. I'm sure. I hope..." he told journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana.

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He warned them that Cameroon has the mental strength to bounce back when things are not going their way. He pointed at the Gambia match, where they were losing 2-1 but came back to win 3-2 late in the game.

The longest-serving coach for Nigeria also recalled the Indomitable Lions' incredible comeback in the 2021 AFCON against Burkina Faso, where they erased a 3-0 deficit.

"These players never accept the defeat. They still believe they are strong mentally. This fighting spirit they have is wonderful."

Cameroon and Nigeria's historic rivalry

The rivalry between these two African football giants is decades old. They faced off in several high-profile matches in the 1980s. Cameroon beat Nigeria in the 1984 and 1988 AFCON finals.

The Super Eagles produced some of the best footballers in the 1990s, which resulted in an AFCON title in 1994 and a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in the USA.

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During this period, Cameroon failed to win a major title and did not lift the continental title in the 1990s.

However, at the turn of the millennium, they beat Nigeria in the final of the 2000 AFCON before taking gold at the Sydney Olympics that same year, per ESPN.

Aboubakar set to return vs Nigeria

Sports Brief earlier reported that veteran centre-forward, Vincent Aboubakar could return for Cameroon after recovering from injury.

The 32-year-old missed all three group-stage games but could be back against the Super Eagles. This will be a huge relief to his national team.

Aboubaker finished as the top scorer of the tournament in the 2021 edition and could be what Cameroon need to kick-start their campaign.