In the tension-soaked match, Super Eagles of Nigeria eventually defeated Cameroon to a 2-0 scoreline as Ademola Lookman’s brace ensured Nigeria a place in next weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
It was jubilation galore among Nigerian fans after the Super Eagles beat long-standing foes Cameroon in the last 16 games on Saturday at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Lookman’s 36th-minute goal opened the scoring and he contributed a second on the stroke of full-time as Nigeria largely outplayed Cameroon.
They will face Angola in the last eight in Abidjan next Friday after the Angolans beat Namibia 3-0 in Bouake earlier on Saturday in the first of the knockout round games.
While Lookman’s double made him a key figure in the win, Nigeria’s African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen proved outstanding with his work rate and drove his team to victory.
It was as much as Nigeria deserved, showing much improved form after a largely uninspiring showing in the group phase where they finished second in their section.
Nigeria vs Cameroon latest news
- Full match report
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Full match report
22:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
Ademola Lookman scored a brace as Nigeria pounced on a Cameroon mistake to progress into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Saturday night.Read our full match report here!
FT: Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
22:04 , Jonathan Gorrie
It’s over! A brace from Ademola Lookman has sent Nigeria into the quarter-finals!
Angola await…
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Almost an own goal!
22:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
97 mins: Castelletto almost bundles one into his own net!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: All hands to the pump
22:00 , Jonathan Gorrie
96 mins: Cameroon have three minutes to score twice!
ALSO READ: AFCON: Nigeria’s Super Eagles secure 1-0 victory over hosts Ivory Coast
Nigeria vs Cameroon: GOAL! Ademola Lookman ’89
21:54 , Jonathan Gorrie
89 mins: GOAL!
Iwobi plays in Bassey, who fires a cross into Lookman. Full of confidence, he opens up his right foot and smashes it into the back of the net!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: CHANCE FOR NIGERIA!
21:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
85 mins: Aina sees his shot blocked on the line after Simon’s pass!
Why didn’t the winger shoot?!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Can Cameroon salvage something?
21:45 , Jonathan Gorrie
81 mins: Aboubakar’s entry certainly makes things more interesting…
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Here comes Aboubakar!
21:40 , Jonathan Gorrie
75 mins: Big news for Cameroon! Their star striker is about to come on.
Nigeria, meanwhile, are about to lose Nwabali to injury.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Moment of magic needed
21:36 , Jonathan Gorrie
71 mins: Cameroon just aren’t creating enough dangerous chances.
They need a moment of magic.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Tense finish
21:27 , Jonathan Gorrie
63 mins: Approaching the final 20 minutes here, it looks tense.
Cameroon are starting to play 10 yards higher up.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Gonzales does well
21:26 , Jonathan Gorrie
63 mins: Osimhen almost through but Gonzales does so well to block him on the rampage.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: CHANCE FOR NIGERIA!
21:18 , Jonathan Gorrie
55 mins: Lookman steps up to take the free-kick but fires it over the bar.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Eagles counter
21:17 , Jonathan Gorrie
52 mins: Nigeria sit back and wait for Cameroon to make a mistake on the ball, which they duly do.
Onyeka is brought down just outside the box from the counter.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Osimhen felled
21:11 , Jonathan Gorrie
48 mins: Cameroon aren’t giving him an inch and the Nigerian bench are unhappy.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Back underway!
21:08 , Jonathan Gorrie
Away we go!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Fascinating half ahead
21:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
Do Nigeria hold on to the lead or go for the kill?
Either way, Cameroon need much more.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: A look at the goal!
20:58 , Jonathan Gorrie
How Nigeria took the lead…
HT: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon
20:53 , Jonathan Gorrie
Super Eagles 45 minutes from progression after Cameroon’s mistake!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Eagles in control
20:47 , Jonathan Gorrie
44 mins: Aside from a confident start, it’s hard to think of too many genuine chances Cameroon have crafted.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Eagles smell blood
20:43 , Jonathan Gorrie
41 mins: Cameroon are looking shaky now! Nigeria looking to put pressure on the defence whenever they have the ball.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: GOAL! Ademola Lookman ’37
20:40 , Jonathan Gorrie
36 mins: GOAL!
What a mess for Cameroon! Wooh fails to clear his lines, allowing Osimhen in.
He shrugs off the defender before squaring for Lookman, whose shot squirms under the keeper!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Eagles not quite at in attack
20:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
29 mins: They’ve crafted the better chances but the Nigerian frontline aren’t looking quite on the same wavelength.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Magri looking dangerous
20:25 , Jonathan Gorrie
24 mins: A lot is made of Osimhen up the other end of the pitch but Cameroon striker Magri is looking dangerous.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: No one wants a draw!
20:23 , Jonathan Gorrie
23 mins: Would be a major shock to see this end as a draw given how open the game is at times.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: End to end!
20:21 , Jonathan Gorrie
19 mins: Cameroon on the attack through Nkoudo until Nigeria clear and almost free Simon on the counter but he’s blocked off eventually.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: GOAL RULED OUT!
20:14 , Jonathan Gorrie
13 mins: Ajayi was ruled offside! We’re back on level terms.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: VAR check!
20:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
11 mins: Oh hang on a minute!
The goal is being checked by VAR…
Nigeria vs Cameroon: GOAL! Semi Ajayi ’09
20:11 , Jonathan Gorrie
09 mins: GOAL!
Ajayi gives the Super Eagles the lead, tapping in after Ondoa makes a mess of collecting two quick-fire crosses.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Eagles flexing muscle
20:09 , Jonathan Gorrie
07 mins: Super Eagles are now sustaining a lot of pressure in Cameroon’s half.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Nice work from Osimhen
20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
04 mins: Lovely play from Osimhen to flick the ball over Wooh but he’s eventually crowded out.
The Napoli forward then has a rather tame header saved.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Cameroon starting well
20:03 , Jonathan Gorrie
03 mins: Tolo overhits a cross but its been a confident start for Cameroon.
Nigeria vs Cameroon: KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
Away we go!
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Almost there!
19:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
Minutes away now from what should be a cracker…
Nigeria vs Cameroon: Andre Onana dropped
19:21 , Jonathan Gorrie
As expected, Manchester United’s Andre Onana does NOT start for Cameroon.
Confirmed Cameroon lineup
19:09 , Jonathan Gorrie
Cameroon XI: Ondoa, Castelletto, Gonzales, Wooh; Mgamaleu, Ntcham, Zambo, Tolo; Toko, Magri, Nkoudo
Subs: Moukoudi, Kemen, Vincent, Tchamadeu, Tchato, Yongwa, Neyou, Moumbagma, Elliott, Onana, Epassy, Njie
