Nigeria - Cameroon predictions and free betting tips [27/01/2024]

Today, as part of the first 1/8 finals play-off match in the African Nations Cup, the national teams of Nigeria and Cameroon will play.

Nigeria national team

The Nigerian team, boasting one of the most formidable squads in the African Nations Cup, advanced from the group stage in second place, amassing 7 points but showing inconsistent performances. In the final group-stage match, the team hardly defeated Guinea-Bissau thanks to an own goal from the adversary in the 36th minute. Nigeria scored two more goals, which were annulled due to offside, and did not demonstrate a powerful game despite their star-studded line-up.

In the opening match of the tournament, the Nigerians drew 1:1 with Equatorial Guinea. Victor Osimhen's goal in the 38th minute helped the team recover after losing the first half. In their second match against the Ivory Coast, Nigeria clinched a 1:0 win thanks to a penalty goal by Troost-Ekong. However, the team did not display a confident play in this match either, losing in ball possession and the number of opportunities created .

The Nigerian national team has recently been showing unpredictable results, having won only 2 out of their last 8 matches. Problems in the midfield due to the absence of Ndidi have worsened because of the sloppy performances of replacements Awazim and Onyedik. Despite having experienced players in the forward lines with leader Victor Osimhen, Frank Onyeka and Joe Aribo, the team has not shown the needed effectiveness in finishing their attacking moves.

Cameroon national team

Cameroon faced challenges, including expected scandals during their participation in the African Nations Cup. The team, led by coach Rigobert Song, found themselves in the middle of internal conflicts including disagreements with their primary goalkeeper, MU’s Andre Onana. Onana urgently returned for the first match but didn't play, performed poorly in the second match without a single save and did not play in the third one either. In the decisive 3rd match, the gods sided with Cameroon, which surprisingly overcame Gambia even though they had been losing 1:2 in the 84th minute. It was a victory pulled out of the hat with a Gomes own goal at the 87th minute and Vu's goal with an Nkudu assist on the 91st minute, which saw the Song team advance from the group.

In the second round, Cameroon lost 1:3 to the Senegal national team, and the only goal for Cameroon was scored by defender Kastelletto in the 83rd minute. The Cameroon attack displayed a lack of creative ideas, especially after conceding the first goal. The Cameroon squad was also hit with challenges, including an injury to Brian Mbemo, as well as the absence of several players like Choupo-Moting and Matip. Zambo-Anguissa, Ntcham, Kemen, and Eliot couldn't muster a threat in attack, and the goal that clinched the victory was scored by Vu.

Despite setbacks in the group stage, Cameroon continued their fight in the tournament. However, their performances were questionable, and the team needed to show more consistency and efficiency to have any success in the 1/8 finals where Nigeria awaits them.

Head-to-Head

The most recent official match between Nigeria and Cameroon took place in 2019 at the 1/8 finals of the African Nations Cup, where Nigeria emerged winners with a 3:2 score line. In the World Cup qualifiers in Russia in 2018, Cameroon drew 1:1 with Nigeria on September 4, whilst on September 1, Nigeria outpaced Cameroon with a 4:0 score line. In their last friendly fixtures in 2021, the match ended in a goalless draw, while Cameroon previously won 1:0.

Predictions for Nigeria - Cameroon match

Frankly, Cameroon should have conceded their place in the playoffs to Gambia, but they've been incredible lucky. I think their quest for the African Nations Cup will end after the match with Nigeria, who are also not showing good play with such a line-up. However, it's anyone guess how the match will turn out, so my wager would be on the total goals exceeding 1.5. The attack has plenty of familiar names.