Alexandria (Egypt) (AFP)
"This match could be a final." The formula is Nigeria's Gernot Rohr, as his side take on Cameroon defending champion Alexandria on Saturday in an eighth-final clash between the rival neighbors.
"It's going to be a great match for everyone, Cameroon is one of the best teams on the continent," said Super Eagles coach Friday at a press conference in Alexandria.
The Franco-German coach returned to the defeat of his team against Madagascar (2-0) in the group stage: "We did not want to lose, but we also knew that we were already qualified. it changed the situation. "
"We were all very upset after the match, so we have more motivation," said Nigerian defender Troost Ekong. "Cameroon are going to be a tough match, we had beaten them before the World Cup, they surely want to take their revenge."
For the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria inflicted a correction in Cameroon (4-0). But the indomitable Lions have turned the page: "It's past, we want to play against them, that's why we train," said Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana.
The indomitable Lions, title holders in 2017, prefer to highlight the finals of 1984, 1988 and 2000 won against the Super Eagles.
"We do not play for points either we win or we go out, we have to show that we are the best, by scoring and winning," said Clarence Seedorf, Cameroon coach, while his team has not registered than 2 goals since the start of the competition.
The stakes are all the greater because the two neighboring countries have a big rivalry on the fields.
"Our supporters are there to bring pressure, we have seen Nigeria in trouble, but I do not think they have shown their full potential," said Seedorf.
Nigerians know they are not favorites. Thursday in training, all shot penalties. "If we go after 120 minutes of play, we can make the difference on penalties," said Gernot Rohr.
? 2019 AFP