Onyeka v Anguissa: The key battle that could decide Nigeria's titanic clash against Cameroon

A titanic AFCON Round of 16 clash between regional arch rivals Nigeria and Cameroon could come down to which midfield enforcer asserts themselves most convincingly on Saturday Night.

For the Super Eagles, that responsibility falls onto the shoulders of tenacious talent Frank Onyeka. Opposite him lurks Indomitable Lion Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa to create a mouthwatering mano a mano duel.

While attackers often claim glory, this decisive battle in the engine room will go a long way dictating whether the Super Eagles or Indomitable Lions continue their AFCON journey.

Both Onyeka and Zambo Anguissa share similar profiles that make them ideal foils to stop one another. 

Combative midfielders by trade, Onyeka and Zambo Anguissa couple boundless stamina with innate physicality to set the tone trying to overpower opponents.

Neither midfielder gives an inch without a fight – precisely the control and aggression manager Jose Peseiro wants Onyeka setting to disrupt Cameroon. 

If able to halt Anguissa, the Super Eagles cut off the supply line to forwards while regaining possession to spring dangerous counters.

But if Anguissa breezes past Onyeka early uncontested, the Napoli man can pick passes to unleash Cameroon's athletic attackers before Nigeria's defense sets.

In possession, both midfielders look to drive play forward directly if given time on the ball. Onyeka continues developing his passing range to transfer balls quicker to Nigeria's pacey wingers staying central himself to commit defenders.

Meanwhile, Anguissa carries experience shifting play while also forcing his way past markers relying on close control and feints.

When out of possession, both industrious engines look to cut off passing channels into their talented attackers.

Onyeka exhibits intelligence covering frontal zones leading to Victor Osimhen while Anguissa patrols laterally using his wingspan to target Karl Toko Ekambi's entries into the box.  

As these midfield lynchpins go seeking to suffocate space and supply lines, the knock-on effects directly limit what Nigeria and Cameroon can produce in areas to punish one another.

But even the smallest duel or positional lapse offers a gateway for match-changing moments their stars relish exploiting.  

With potential quarterfinal places hanging delicately in the balance, the individual who adds more dynamism or better shackles his midfield foe gains a supreme advantage.

If Onyeka bests his accomplished counterpart, the Super Eagles should fly onwards. But if Zambo Anguissa bullies past Nigeria's emerging guard, Cameroon will fancy enacting swift revenge.

Ejim Kaycee

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