Former Nigeria head coach, Gernot Rohr, has given the Super Eagles players and coaches tips on how to defeat Cameroon in their round of 16 clash on Saturday.
The Indomitable Lions would be looking to secure a first AFCON win against the Eagles since the 2000 edition co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
At the 2004 tournament, the Eagles came from a goal down to beat the Lions 2-1.
The Eagles beat Cameroon 3-2 in the round of 16 at the 2019 AFCON,Rohr was manager then and has come out to advice his former players on what to do against Cameroon.
“They should believe in their strength, they can do it like they did in 2019,” Rohr said in a video interview posted on former BBC reporter and Guardian writer Osasu Obayiuwana’s X handle.
“Cameroon had problems, it was not easy in their first two group games. Their match against Gambia was a crazy one because at some point you will think it’s finished when they were down 2-1 with five minutes left.
“At the 2021 AFCON they were down 3-0 against Burkina Faso and in 10 minutes they came back to 3-3, which means the Cameroonian players never accept defeat, they still believe, they are strong mentally and they have fighting spirit.
“But Nigeria also have fighting spirit just like we did against Cameroon in 2019. Even if you are down by one or two goals you can come back and win. It’s possible, it’s a question of the spirit, a question of mental strength, of discipline, solidarity, fighting spirit.
“Most of the Nigerian players I know them very well they have these qualities and can do it, also they have the best player in Africa and I’m sure they will qualify.“
Rohr, however, admitted that it would be a tough encounter for the Eagles.
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”It will be difficult because Cameroon is becoming strong again especially in the win against Gambia in the final minutes but they still have problems, defensive problems, also problems inside the group, goalkeeping issue.“
