The three-time African champions, Nigeria, secured their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last-16 after defeating Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in their final Group A match. 

Despite sharing the same wins and draws as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria finished as Group A runners-up based on goal difference.

Nigeria is now set to go head-to-head with Cameroon in the last-16 stage of the tournament. 

This matchup was determined after the conclusion of Group C matches, where Senegal claimed the top spot with a 2-0 victory over Guinea. Senegal’s win left Cameroon in second place after a late comeback against Gambia, winning 3-2.

Cameroon faced elimination in the 85th minute, trailing 2-1 to Gambia. 

However, fortune turned in their favor when Gambia’s James Gomez scored an own goal, and Christopher Wooh netted a stoppage-time winner, securing Cameroon’s place in the knockout stage.

The last encounter between Nigeria and Cameroon in the AFCON knockout round was in 2019, with Nigeria emerging victorious with a 3-2 win, thanks to goals from Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi. 

Cameroon has been a formidable opponent for Nigeria at AFCON, defeating the Super Eagles in the 1984, 1988, and 2000 finals to claim gold.