Cameroon boss Rigobert Song looking for defensive improvement for Nigeria clash
A quarter-final spot is at stake in Abidjan.
Head coach Rigobert Song admitted Cameroon must tighten up at the back if they are to progress to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Cameroon were just minutes away from a group-stage elimination after trailing Gambia but a James Gomez own goal and injury-time strike from Christopher Wooh sealed a 3-2 victory and a last-16 place.
They take on Nigeria in Abidjan on Saturday but Song warned his backline to be more vigilant ahead of them lining up against African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
“We have already conceded six goals and we will (have to) find the formula to not concede,” former Liverpool and West Ham defender Song told a press conference.
“We will try to put Nigeria in difficulty and fight to continue.
“I know what needs to be done and we will do everything possible to obtain a positive result.”
Cameroon are expected to be boosted by the return of captain Vincent Aboubakar, who missed the entire group stage with a thigh injury.
Nigeria had a more straightforward passage into the knockout stages, following up a draw against Equatorial Guinea with wins over tournament hosts Ivory Coast and minnows Guinea-Bissau.
They have only scored three goals in the campaign but boss Jose Peseiro is satisfied with their approach.
“I saw some statistics that said our team until now has created more clear opportunities than the other opponents,” Peseiro told a press conference.
“Sometimes the ketchup doesn’t come, but the next time all the ketchup (comes out). In the next match or another match, we can score more goals with less opportunities.”