Cameroon claim first win over Super Eagles in 21 years

CAMEROON defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the first of two friendlies between the two countries on Friday night.

Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa scored the only goal of the game for the Indomitable Lions in Vienna, Austria.

It is Cameroon’s first victory over Nigeria since the Indomitable Lions beat the Super Eagles on penalties in the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.

In the six meetings since, before Friday night’s friendly fixture, the Super Eagles won five and drew one.

However, Cameroon exacted a form of revenge in Vienna, Anguissa striking from long-range through a crowd of legs past the unsighted Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in the 36th minute.

The Nigerian team, with the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu and Kelechi Iheanacho starting, began the match brightly.

The first chance of the game fell to Genk striker Onuachu in the third minute but his header was parried to safety by the Lions goalkeeper.

Onuachu, who scored 33 goals for Genk in the Belgian Pro League in the just concluded season, had another chance in the 31st minute but he headed over, before Moses forced another save from the Cameroon keeper.

The Super Eagles were on the front foot and dominated possession but it was Cameroon that struck against the run of play, Anguissa firing home after a clearance fell to him unmarked a few metres outside Nigeria’s box.

The Super Eagles spent most of the second half
probing for the equaliser but Cameroon comfortably repelled their efforts.

Coach Gernot Rohr made a rash of changes, bringing on Ahmed Musa, Terem Moffi, Perer Olayinka and Anayo Iwuala but they had little effect and Cameroon claimed victory.

The defeat is Nigeria’s first in six matches since another loss in Austria against Algeria last October.

The two neighbours and rivals will meet again in Vienna on Tuesday.