What A Game? Nigeria Survives Cameroon Threat......

Alexandria, EGYPT -- In one of the most memorable game in the Nigeria v Cameroon series, Nigeria overcame Cameroon 3-2 to reach the quarter final of the AFCON. The game had several moments that will be long remembered and kept many on the edge of their seats until the very end. With Manager Gernot Rohr's job under threat, he lived to manage yet another game. Today, he proved the critics wrong on two factors that the critics had proclaimed as his great failings. First, his team, derided for inability to score goals, produced three of them today against the defending champion. Second, his team came back from being behind in a competition game.

The way the game began, Nigeria was clearly the better team as they pressed high and had Cameroon chasing the ball all of the field. It looked like Nigeria was about to overrun Cameroon. That Nigeria went ahead after 18 minutes was a goal long in coming. It was Ighalo. You may debate whether he was attempting to shoot or that it may have been a poor first touch but what mattered was it ended up behind Cameroon's Onana in goal. Nigeria stayed in control and although Cameroon had woken up from slumber, Cameroon's equalizing goal was a shock. Nigeria failed to challenge a play on its wide zone on the right and the looming cross was converted by Bahoken. He had ghosted behind Omeruo who was completely at lunch. Bahoken was a nightmare most of the game for Omeruo who failed to deal with the former's physicality. Bahoken, built like his famous father who also represented Cameroon, pushed Omeruo around and it reminded many of Omeruo's difficulties during the World Cup qualifiers when another physical Zambian forward pushed him around. Two minutes after, Omeruo was again beaten in the air and with Aina missing a tackle, Njie walked in and easily converted. Nigeria was looking at a 1-2 deficit at the interval.

Cameroon started the second on the ascendancy and only a quick reflect save by Akpeyi and a subsequent Omeruo clearance kept the score at a goal behind after Musa went to sleep on a quick free kick down the right. That seemed to wake Nigeria up and the pressure began to mount on Cameroon. It was Ighalo, his brace, that pulled Nigeria level after Musa made a chested pass to him deep in the box (63rd). Three minutes later, Nigeria took the commanding lead with Ighalo nutmegging a pass to Iwobi for a superb finish. It could have been more 10 minutes later but Ighalo's close shot from a deft Chukwueze pass was bravely parried. Onana saved again from the line in the 82nd minute after a cross came off the back of his defender.

Nigeria survived in a game that will be long remembered.

Daniel Akpeyi (16) -- 6.2 -- Daniel kept Nigeria's lead with a reflect save in the second half and then punched out a threat late as Cameroon threatened. however, he could do little to keep out two goals from close-in. Of course, he had his usual gaffe misjudging a harmless high ball in the opening half.

Chidozie Awaziem (20) -- 6.2 -- Chidozie had a solid game as he kept Njie under check in the early parts of the first half forcing the latter to switch to the right. However, encountering Bassagog was a different case as he faced physicality that presented problems.

William Ekong (5) -- 6.1 -- An almost anonymous showing but made a crucial heading clearance from a dangerous cross in the 67th minute.

Kenneth Omeruo (22) -- 6.0 -- He was mostly having a horrific game in the opener with two errors in Cameroon's two goals. However, he recovered in the second half to produce an important save as his partner (EKONG) badly missed a threatening header (77th).

Ola Aina (2) -- 6.3 -- Aina, beaten for the second goal, had a good game both on offense and defense. His one-v-one successes were notable.

Wilfred Ndidi (4) -- 6.7 -- Wilfred, as always, had a very good game and with Etebo made sure Nigeria mostly bossed the midfield winning several balls.

Oghenekaro Etebo (8) -- 6.8 -- Etebo made one dangerous early pass into his defense but recovered to have a dominant game. He was as tireless as ever.

Alex Iwobi (18) -- 6.2 -- Iwobi turned the ball over quite notably in the opening half but his willingness to make a critical pass remains commendable. Importantly, he took his goal well to put Nigeria into the quarter final.

Simon Moses (15) -- 6.2 -- Simon was very active in the opening half but his shooting was quite poor.  He gets a high rating for his work rate and his significant contribution in Nigeria's early domination.

Ahmed Musa (7) -- 6.2 -- Ahmed muse's display was in view all game but his final pass was not the best leading to several Cameroon interceptions. Yet, he remained critical producing an exciting chested pass that helped Nigeria tie the game.

Odion Ighalo (9) -- 6.5 -- He scored two goals and had an assist. On statistics alone, he is the Man of the Match. However, the reality is that Ighalo's first touch is horrendous and led to several turnovers.

Subs
Samuel Chukwueze (13) -- 6.3 -- Samu could not get his dribbles going but he posed enough danger to make his presence as a substitute count. Just four minutes after he came on, Nigeria tied the game. Importantly, in the din of the box, he is calm enough to pick out open players. This lad is very very dangerous.

Paul Onuachu (14) -- X -- Not rated after coming on late.

Leon Balogun (6) -- X -- Not related after coming on late to help defensively seal the game.