Two heavyweights in African football will do battle on Friday as Super Eagles of Nigeria and Cameroon trade tackles in the first match of a friendly double-header, EKO HOT BLOG gathered.
Both sides will use the exhibition game in Austria as a continuation of their preparations for the resumption of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
Nigeria come into this game on the back of successive victories in the last international window. The Super Eagles registered 1-0 and 3-0 victories against Benin and Lesotho respectively, with in-form Paul Onuachu scoring in both games.
Cameroon played out a goalless draw with Rwanda in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Both Nigeria and Cameroon topped their respective AFCON qualification groups, although the Indomitable Lions’ spot at the tournament was already guaranteed as hosts.
Super Eagles
This is one of the biggest games on the African football scene and both teams have battled it out for honours and points across different competitions.
The two sides have clashed on 23 occasions in the past and Nigeria have an overwhelmingly better record. The West African giants have 12 wins to their name, while their Central African rivals were victorious on four occasions. The two teams have shared the spoils seven times.
Their most recent meeting came in July 2019. Odion Ighalo’s brace and Alex Iwobi’s second-half goal gave Nigeria a 3-2 comeback win in the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles are currently on a five-game unbeaten run, with their consecutive victories in March halting a run of three successive draws. Cameroon have just one win from their last five matches.
Nigeria form guide: W-W-D-D-D
Cameroon form guide: D-L-L-L-W
Nigeria
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr called up 24 players for this pair of friendly games. The squad is complemented by experienced heads like Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi and William Troost-Ekong. There are also some new faces on the international scene including Valentine Ozornwafor, Abraham Marcus and Terrem Moffi.
Simeon Nwankwo was called back into the international fold after a three-year absence following his record-breaking season with Crotone, but he later pulled out. Moses Simon also returns after missing the March fixtures due to his club not releasing him.
However, notable absentees from the squad include the Rangers duo of Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun. The former was afforded a rest after his arduous campaign, while Balogun is not fully recovered from an injury.
Furthermore, Villarreal winger and Europa League winner Samuel Chukwueze was dropped from the provisional list. He failed to recover from the injury he sustained in the semi-final victory over Arsenal. Victor Osimhen is also out with a knee injury, while Ola Aina and Semi Ajayi withdrew.
Injuries: Samuel Chukwueze, Leon Balogun, Simon Kalu, Victor Osimhen
Suspension: None
Cameroon
Cameroon coach Antonio Conceicao has 24 players in camp for the friendly with Nigeria. Bayern Munich forward Eric Choupo-Moting headlines the list. Meanwhile, the Cameroon captain is joined by the likes of Fabrice Ondoa, Zambo Anguissa and Karl Toko Ekambi.
The duo of Olivier Mbaizo and Christian Bassogog withdrew from the squad.
Injuries: None
Suspension: None
Nigeria Predicted XI (4-3-3): Maduka Okoya (GK); Jamilu Collins, Chidozie Awaziem, William Troost-Ekong, Valentine Ozornwafor; Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Anayo Iwuala; Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu
Cameroon Predicted XI (4-3-3): Fabrice Ondoa (GK); Charles Castelleto, Duplexe Tchamba, Collins Fai, Nouhou Tolo; Frank Zambo Anguissa, Jean Onana, Yvan Neyou; Ignatius Ganago, Eric Choupo-Moting, Karl Toko Ekambi
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