Hugo Broos. PHOTO: AFP
Cameroon’s coach, Hugo Broos admits their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is doomed if they do not take at least four points off Nigeria in back-to-back clashes, reports AFP.
The Group B rivals meet in southeastern Nigerian city, Uyo today and in Camerounian capital, Yaounde three days later. Nigeria top the African “group of death” with six points after two rounds, African champions Cameroun have two and Zambia and Algeria one.
“If we still want to have a chance of qualifying, we must take at least four points off Nigeria,” the Belgian told reporters. “Should we fail to achieve that target, I do not think it will be possible to qualify for Russia.”
Read Also:
Broos is hoping for an away draw and a home victory results that would reduce the gap between the countries to one point. The remaining two qualifying rounds are scheduled for October and November with only the five group winners in Africa securing places at the global football showcase.
“My players need little or no reminding of how important the matches against Cameroon are,” said Germany-born Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr.
While Nigeria were fast out of the blocks late last year to defeat Zambia and Algeria, Cameroun did well to draw in Algeria only to be held at home by Zambia.
Bottom-of-the-table Algeria dumped midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, a recent Galatasaray signing from West Ham United, for a must-win showdown with Zambia in Lusaka tomorrow.
Algeria, Cameroun and Nigeria qualified for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, but only one of the three countries can make it to Russia.
Broos believes his side can cope without some of their key attackers against Nigeria.
Cameroon attackers Clinton N’Jie and Karl Toko Ekambi have both been ruled out of the two matches due to injures.However, Broos promised that his side will give the Super Eagles of Nigeria a tough task when speaking on the Independent.“I know how it is when a coach loses his key players to injury, especially when there are crucial matches,” Broos said.
“Clinton is one of our best performers, same thing with Karl, but we should also know that injury is part of the game.“Their injuries can’t deter us because we have capable replacements.”The Belgian tactician is likely to look to Benjamin Moukandjo, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting against Nigeria.
Source: G Sport
