Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses are no strangers to Nigeria, and Randy Waldrum’s side can take a leaf from duels of time past, Starnews.com.ng reports.
The stiffest of tests at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) begin for the Super Falcons on Thursday, starting with a quarterfinal tie against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
Following the group stage campaign that saw both sides start slow but qualify as the second-best teams in Groups B and C,
Thursday’s encounter will prove which of both teams is hungrier for success.
An even bigger apple dangling for the winner of this quarterfinal game is the tree of tickets to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Match preview
Despite Falcons losing their opening match to Banyana Banyana of South Africa by 2-1, the ninth time champions are the finest attacking unit in Morocco with seven goals.
Super Falcons outsmart Botswana 2-0 on matchday two and riot Burundi 4-0 on Sunday to make it past the group stage.
Cameroon, just like Nigeria, finished as group’s runners-up. The Indomitable Lionesses are, however, unbeaten in three matches so far – winning one and drawing two games.
The share stalemate draw with the Copper Queens of Zambia, drew 1-1 against Togo Ladies, and outclass Tunisia by 2-0 in their last group game.
With a tight defence conceding only once, the Cameroonians may be in the best shape to face their eternal nemesis.
Meanwhile, both are physical and athletic teams that will need to dig deep to progress to the next level.
Head-to-head
Nigeria are the most successful team at the WAFCON, with the most titles (9) and the most victories (53).
Cameroon were the unfortunate losing side on three of those time the Falcons triumphed.
The Lionesses were runners-up to Nigeria in 2004, 2014, and 2016.
An African giant in their own right, the Cameroonians have the third most wins at the Wafcon (21) – behind Nigeria and South Africa.
The Lionesses are one of just three teams to have beaten (in 2012) the Falcons in the last 16 years, even though it is their only win in the last five encounters against the Nigerians.
Penalties were, however, needed to separate the two teams the last time they met in the semifinal of the 2018 edition.
The Super Falcons also triumphed on penalties in the final against South Africa to lift the trophy in Ghana.
Players to Watch
Inter Milan forward Ajara Nchout Njoya will look to continue her fine form when the Indomitable Lionesses take on Nigeria.
Asides from scoring Cameroon’s winner in their 2-0 victory against Tunisia, Nchout scored 8 goals in 18 games for her Serie A side this season.
Cameroonian captain Gabrielle Onguene is another player the Super Falcons must look to stop, should they go the third game without conceding. However the captain is yet to prover herself.
Elsewhere, Nigeria’s goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie is boastful on clean sheets at this tournament (2) and would be one, the duo of Nchout and Onguene must look to beat when they take on the Super Falcons.
In attack, is Uchenna Kanu who scored a brace for Nigeria against Burundi. The Tigres UNAL forward is one of the five players to have scored twice in a game at this WAFCON.
Prediction
With an unrivalled history and a fearsome attack, Nigeria will be the slight favorites against Cameroon, while Lionesses have dogged fight spirit.
Tip: Cameroon 0 – 1 Nigeria
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