'It's a big, big game' - Super Eagles winger Lookman aware of importance of massive clash v Cameroon 

Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman says he is aware of the importance of the massive clash between Nigeria and Cameroon on Saturday night at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. 

Both countries have won the Africa Cup of Nations eight times combined with the Indomitable Lions victorious in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017, and the Super Eagles crowned continental kings in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

Cameroon struggled in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON, needing two very late goals to see off The Gambia and set up a meeting with the Super Eagles in the round of 16.

Statistically speaking, the Indomitable Lions are the underdogs heading into the round of 16 fixture, having lost three of their last four matches against Nigeria and needed a shootout to defeat the West African giants in the 2000 showpiece. 

Lookman has underlined that the Super Eagles players are ready and highly motivated to beat the Indomitable Lions tonight. 

"Everybody knows the importance of the game so do I. It's a big, big game for us as a nation, as a team," Lookman told Hot Sports.

"We're motivated most definitely and we're looking forward to it."

On the message he wants to pass to the Nigeria fans, Lookman said: "We thank you for your blessings as always, your positive prayers and positive energy have been flowing from Nigeria here into Ivory Coast.

"The fans who are here with us in the stadium blowing the trumpets and beating their drums we thank you. Keep on supporting us and keep on being with us because we need you."

A Fifa U20 World Cup winner with England in 2017, Lookman is representing Nigeria in his first major tournament after switching his allegiance to the country.

Igho Kingsley 

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