Odegbami, Lawal task Eagles on self-belief, discipline against Lions

Nigerian football legends Olusegun Odegbami and Garba Lawal have advised the Super Eagles to be extremely cautious, focused, disciplined, and confident when they face the Indomitable Lions in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 on Saturday in Abidjan. Odegbami, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON-winning squad and former captain of the team, who […]

Nigerian football legends Olusegun Odegbami and Garba Lawal have advised the Super Eagles to be extremely cautious, focused, disciplined, and confident when they face the Indomitable Lions in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 on Saturday in Abidjan.

Odegbami, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON-winning squad and former captain of the team, who also played three times against Cameroon said the present crop of Super Eagles can achieve victory the way they did against the Lions at the same stage in Egypt four years ago, but must be extremely diligent and be very clinical with the opportunities that come their way.

“We may say that Cameroon have not pulled up any trees at this tournament, but the way they turned the game around against The Gambia sends a message. They are not to be taken for granted. I watched their game against Guinea and it was a fight-to-finish. We have been creating a lot of opportunities in our games but this time, we have to be clinical.

“Cameroon could prove to be a different proposition from the teams we have played against at this competition. Apart from the rivalry between our two countries, the present generation of Indomitable Lions have a point to prove. They want to be seen in the garbs of the likes of Rigobert Song Bahanang (who is their coach), Samuel Eto’o Fils, Patrick Mboma and Geremi Njitap, and going further back, the likes of Roger Milla, Theophile Abega, Gregoire Mbida and Francois Omam Biyick.”

Lawal, nicknamed Chindo, played four times against the Lions says that self-belief will go a long way in steering the Eagles past the Lions on Saturday.

“They must go in there believing in themselves to do the job. Self-confidence is a good feeling when approaching a game like this. I see the Super Eagles getting past the Cameroonians if they believe in themselves and keep it tight at the back.”

Nigeria and Cameroon have clashed at the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, with each team winning thrice and one game drawn.