It took a brace from Ademola Lookman for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to end the dream of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun to advance beyond the round of 16, which they got on a platter, as they were finally sent out of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), on Saturday night.
One goal apiece in each of the halves saw Nigeria, third time winner – 1980, 1994 and 2013 – of the tournament, African highest football event advancing into the the quarter finals of the 34th edition, currently taking place in the African nation of Cote D’Ivoire.
Here is the minute by minute capture of the action-soaked match between the two teams that have remained serious rivals over the years, as recorded by The PUNCH:
This game is the eighth encounter between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Notably, three of these previous meetings occurred in the tournament’s finals during 1984, 1988, and 2000 – with Cameroon emerging victorious in each instance.
89 mins: Lookman scores again.
86 mins: Moses Simon picks Nigeria’s first yellow card of the game. A Cameroonian free kick was turned into a counter by Nigeria. Iwobi wastes the effort. Goal kick to Cameroon.
82 mins: The game rush is setting in and getting more interesting.
77 mins: Uzoho comes in for Nwabali who has been stretched out of the field. Zaidu comes off for Kenneth Omeruo.
35 mins: Lookman scores after a battled assist from Osihmen.
44 mins: Zaidu is down injured. Cameroon wins a free kick. It was a wasted effort—Goalkick to Nigeria.
45 mins: It is six minutes of added time. Nigeria have yet to see another breakthrough.
45 + 4 mins: Cameroon yet to see a shot on target, despite winning more possessions (44% – 56%). The referee has not served any card in this half.
45 + 6 mins: It is half-time and the teams head into the tunnel.
Here is the line-up:
Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
Defenders: Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina
Wing-backs: Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon
Cameroon confirmed line-up vs Nigeria
Formation: (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Christopher Wooh, Oumar Gonzalez
