In knockout football, only the result matters, and this is especially true in the biggest rivalry in sub-Saharan African football. Despite a slippery pitch, Nigeria emerged victorious against Cameroon, and they will now face Angola in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria’s attack was led by the tireless and intelligent Victor Osimhen, while Ademola Lookman scored two well-taken goals. Alex Iwobi dominated the midfield, and William Troost-Ekong was a commanding presence at the back.
Nigeria has now kept three consecutive clean sheets, and the grumbles of fans and journalists are beginning to subside into grudging respect. Cameroon struggled throughout the tournament, and they failed to create many chances against Nigeria, with Rigobert Song, their manager, coming under criticism for his lack of involvement in tactics. Cameroon’s performance was in stark contrast to their record as the two most successful sides in sub-Saharan Africa since 1980, alongside Nigeria, the only two African teams to win Olympic gold. Despite beating Nigeria three times in the Cup of Nations finals, Cameroon’s failure at the World Cup suggests that Song’s tenure might be drawing to a close.
The derby atmosphere in a full stadium created a sense of a game that, no matter the outcome, would reverberate through the generations. Nigeria’s first goal, stemming from a mistake, was due to Osimhen’s awareness and unselfishness in laying the ball to Lookman, whose shot slithered over the line as a desperate Cameroon defender scrambled back. Lookman scored his second goal when Cameroon committed men forward late on. After the opening goal, Nigeria continued playing their natural style under coach José Peseiro, which is safety-first probing, giving them a sense of control, while their threat remained limited to whatever Osimhen could forage.
