AFCON 2023: What Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said about Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen before last-16 tie

The Super Eagles have won each of their last two meetings at the AFCON against the Indomitable Lions and could make it three on the bounce with a victory on Saturday

Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song has revealed that the Indomitable Lions will show respect to Victor Osimhen when they face Nigeria in the last-16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite the unavailability of key players like Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Wilfred Ndidi, Nigeria will be slight favourites to claim a fifth consecutive AFCON win over Cameroon when the two teams meet at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles retain several quality players in attack, including Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Nantes winger Moses Simon, Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, and OGC Nice ace Terem Moffi, all of whom have been declared fit for the encounter.

However, Nigeria’s biggest star is no other than Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

Arguably the biggest attraction in Cote d’Ivoire, Osimhen is the reigning African Footballer of the Year.

Interestingly, the 25-year-old has not shown his best form at the AFCON, as he has only scored one goal in three matches.

Still, he remains the worst nightmare for any opponent facing Nigeria, and Cameroon boss Rigobert Song has revealed his admiration for the former Lille ace.

Still, the former AFCON winner insists that the Indomitable Lions will only show respect to and not fear for the Nigerian striker once the referee blows the whistle for kick-off.

“Osimhen is a big player,” Song told the Guardian, as per Yahoo Sports.

“We know him and respect him. But respecting him doesn’t mean that we should fear him.”

Beating Nigeria will be the biggest win for Cameroon at this year’s AFCON, where the Indomitable Lions have struggled to stamp their authority.

The four-time winners drew 1-1 with Guinea in their opening game before falling to a heavy 3-1 defeat to defending champions Senegal. They needed a last-gasp come-from-behind win over lowly Gambia to make it to the first knockout round. 

Song admits it has not been an easy tournament for Cameroon and any other big team. Still, he emphasises that the Indomitable Lions will look to make amends against Nigeria on Saturday.

“It is true that we faced difficulties,” the former Liverpool defender said.

“It has not been easy for us … We must confess that the quality of this Afcon has been high. Big teams [such as Ghana, Algeria, and Tunisia] seen as favourites are no longer here.

“We are focused to play and avoid engaging in emotions. We must apply our philosophy and technique to win … We cannot be worried about a football game. We will approach this match with confidence, and the outcome we want will come.”

Across 25 games in all competitions against Cameroon, Nigeria have the head-to-head advantage with 12 wins, eight draws, and only five defeats.