Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored the winner as Nigeria beat Cameroon 3-2 on Saturday at the Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria to eliminate the defending champions in the round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite having significantly less possession in a tense game, the Super Eagles were more clinical in front of goal and claimed a big victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
Odion Ighalo opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he picked Kenneth Omeruo’s pass in the penalty area and side-footed a shot which deflected off a Cameroonian player.
Cameroon leveled the game four minutes before halftime after Stephane Bahoken tapped in Christian Bassogog’s left wing cross.
Cameroon, who have won the tournament five times, then took the lead three minutes later when Clinton N’Jie latched on to a header from Bahoken, held off a Nigerian defender and comfortably slotted past Daniel Akpeyi.
Ighalo equalized for the 2013 champions in the 63rd minute with a first-time left foot volley in the penalty area following Ahmed Musa’s knock down. Despite appeals for offside from the Cameroonian defence, the goal stood. Replays also appeared to show Ighalo was onside.
Nigeria then reclaimed the lead three minutes later when Ighalo played through Iwobi who made no mistake with his effort inside the box.
Despite further attempts by either side to find the net, no effort was successful.
Nigeria will face the winner of the last 16 tie between hosts Egypt and South Africa later on Saturday.
