‘We’re going for it’: Super Eagles fired up to avenge Cameroon defeat

THE Super Eagles will look to at least prevent back-to-back defeats to Cameroon as they play a second friendly in four days against their fierce rivals.

In the first friendly at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Vienna, Austria, the Indomitable Lions ended a 21-year winless streak against the Nigerians with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Fulham midfielder Zambo Anguissa’s goal in the first half.

Despite missing several regular players (William Troost-Ekong and Jamilu Collins have joined the long list after Friday’s defeat) and his insistence that the result does not matter, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr must be made to realise that two defeats to Cameroon in four days would be unacceptable.

The Cameroonians are not taking the games as mere friendlies as they recognise the long-running rivalry between the neighbouring countries.

“We took the game seriously because we played against a tough opponent, a big game against a big rival. It was important for us to show our preparations, and I’m happy we won,” Cameroon’s Bayern Munich striker Eric Choupo-Moting said after Friday’s win.

That is the mentality Rohr and the Super Eagles need on Tuesday as the coach gets set to ring a few changes.

Francis Uzoho will replace Maduka Okoye in goal, while captain Ahmed Musa and Galatasaray defender Valentine Ozornwafor will start, according to Rohr.

With the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Peter Olayinka, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Oghenekaro Etebo all still around to provide the steel in midfield as well as creativity and sharpness in attack, the Super Eagles should have enough to prevent another defeat.

Rohr is no stranger to Cameroon after leading the Super Eagles to beat them twice in their three previous meetings before his first defeat to them as Nigeria coach on Friday.

The German led the Eagles to beat the Lions 4-0 in Uyo and a 1-1 draw in Yaounde in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in September 2017.

He also engineered a 3-2 win over the Lions in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019, so he should know his way around these familiar foes.

Captain Musa knows what is at stake and believes defeat in Tuesday’s game is not an option.

“We are not happy to have created so many chances and fail to score. We will approach the game differently on Tuesday. Cameroon is a big rival and we are not happy to have lost the game on Friday,” the Kano Pillars forward said.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, also aware of the weight of expectations, told thenff.com: “We bave taken some positives from the first match against Cameroon. We had a good game and it was unfortunate that they scored with just that one shot on target. However, we have shown that we are ready for the AFCON with the strength of character we showed after conceding the goal. We are ready to go for it on Tuesday.”

New call-up Abraham Marcus said it was a dream come true for him to join up with the Nigeria camp.

“When the coach introduced me into the game, all I had in mind was to help the team get the equaliser. I look forward to another opportunity matchday on Tuesday.”

The friendly matches are used by both teams to prepare for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers which start in September.