Former Nigeria goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu has told Completesports.com he has strong conviction that the Super Eagles will overcome the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash in Alexandria, Egypt.
“Everything depends on the philosophy of the players on the pitch,” starts the one time Grasshoppers of Switzerland shot stopper.
“It’s about what they want to achieve and how they want to react after the Madagascar defeat that has drawn some flakes against the team.
“But I’m sure the boys are hungry to give Cameroon a good match following their poor result against Madagascar.
“We are all Nigerians, so are the players. They know the importance of victory over Cameroon, not just for the team, not just for the country but their careers as well.
“For me, yes, Eagles are good to win”.
Shorunmu was in goal in 2000 in Lagos when the Super Eagles met the Lions in the AFCON final that was decided on penalties.
He was on the bench in 1992 in Senegal, in same competition when Super Eagles prevailed 2-0.
The former Shooting Stars of Ibadan keeper remembers clearly the high and low points of the Cameroonian Lions and gives the Super Eagles tips on how to cage the Lions.
“Time, they say, changes everything. It’s almost 20 years now I played against them last,” Shorunmu recalls.
“It was in 2000, to be precise, during the Nations Cup final.
“Things have changed in the game, but I know Cameroon have not departed from their physical football. It is their strength, their skill notwithstanding.
“But if the Eagles can deny them of the ball, forcing them to struggle and run for it (the ball), surely, victory will be ours.”
By Sab Osuji
