Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song Bahanag has dismissed the superiority of Nigeria over the Indomitable Lions in Saturday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash in Abidjan, insisting that his side gave the match away, www.aclsports.com reports.
Song watched helplessly from the touch line as Nigeria soundly defeated his wards 2-0 courtesy of a goal in each half by Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman. The result meant that the Indomitable Lions lose to the Eagles at the AFCON stage for a third straight time.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Song believed Nigeria won the game because of his team’s undoing and not necessarily because of their firepower.
“I think Nigeria were not better than us tonight,” began the multiple AFCON winner as a player.
“But they just did what they were expected to do. The maturity their players had made them do what they were expected to do. And maybe we gave them opportunity to do more. I think individually they are better and they know themselves more and have been together for some time.
“I think they could have done much better but today we were the ones that gave them more opportunity to perform,” said Song who enjoyed beating Nigeria in an AFCON final as a player in Lagos in 2000.
Nigeria will go on to face Angola in the quarterfinals on Friday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium while Cameroon, under Song, will head home early at a major tournament once again after their early exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Song refused to be drawn on his future as the team’s head coach, stating that he is still under contract as the national team manager.
“As you know, I still have an existing contract with the team (so I am still in charge). After today, I will have enough time to rest, assess situation of things then I will know whatever decision comes after,” said Song.
Cameroon will shift their attention to the qualifying series of the 2026 FIFA World Cup where they are joint top of Group D with Cape Verde after two round of matches. Their next round of competitive games come up in June.
