AFCON 2023: Cameroon edge Gambia to set up Round of 16 clash with Nigeria

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Cameroon and Nigeria will rekindle their rivalry on the continent as both sides will meet in the Round of 16at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan.

Going into the final round of group stage matches, the Super Eagles were scheduled to face Group C runners-up in the Round of 16, having emerged Group A runners-up, tied on seven points with leaders Equatorial Guinea.

In Group C, prior to final game on Tuesday, Senegal sat atop with six points followed Guinea, Cameroon and Gambia with four, one and no points respectively.

In the end, Cameroon left it late to avoid crashing out of the tourmament as they secured a dramatic 3-2 win over the Gambia to finished second ahead of Guinea on goal difference in the group C.

A spirited second half goals from Karl Toko Ekambi, James Gomez, and Christopher Wooh sealed their progression in a five-goal thriller, as Ablie Jallow and Ebrima Colley were not enough for Tom Sainfeit’s side.

While holders, Senegal completed a triple win to retain the summit, defeating Guinea 2-0 to retain the group summit with nine points, relegating their West African neighours to third position.

Ahead of the Round of 16, the Super Eagles have won two of the last five head-to-games with the Indomitable Lions.

Cameroon had won once, while the other two games ended in stalemates, with the last meeting between both sides in an international friendly match on June 8, 2021, ended in a goalless draw.