'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 The Nigerians were the better team on the offensive
Cameroon held on to possession. In fact, the Indomitable Lions currently hold the record for the highest average possession during this year's AFCON with 58.3%. Notably, they also hold the second highest pass accuracy of 84.4%. Yet, these did not help Cameroon in the final third against the Super Eagles.
During the game, nine Nigerian players took a minimum of one shot, with Man of the Match Odion Ighalo taking four shots.
The Indomitable Lions, on the other hand, had only five shots from their four forward players. Three shots - all expectedly off target - came from centre-back Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui.
Cameroon had a total of 12 key passes, with Pierre Kunde dishing out four. Nigeria had 15 key passes, with three coming from substitute Samuel Chukwueze. Also, the Indomitable Lions managed only seven dribbles, while the Super Eagles got 13.
All in all, the Super Eagles were the better team in the final third, and the scoreline reflects it.
#1 Nigeria also trumped Cameroon defensively
While keeping in mind that both teams defended poorly, the Nigerian defence was better, especially in the final fourty minutes of the game.
Slack defending from Kenneth Omeruo allowed Cameroon's first goal to go in. Ola Aina was quite powerless to stop the raw-paced N'Jie from getting past him and slotting in a goal. However, the Nigerian defence sorted out their problems during the half-time break and refused another deadly Cameroon equalizer.
Notably, Nigeria was more successful in the air, winning 55% of all aerial duels in the game. While the Super Eagles made 30 clearances to save their side from strong Cameroon attacks, the Indomitable Lions could only manage 25.
While the Nigerian defence made 19 of those clearances, with Troost-Ekong making seven, the Cameroon defence had to rely on Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui to save the team with a total of nine individual clearances.
