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NGR 3-2 CMR: How Ighalo Won CAF’s Special Recognition @ AFCON

By Paul Oluwakoya On Jul 6, 2019 0

After his stellar performance, Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) have selected Super Eagles’ Odion Ighalo as the Total Man of the Match in the Nigeria vs Cameroon Quaker-Final showdown. Congrats!

CAF made the announcement minutes after the three times African champions defeated Cameroon who were tournament favourites and AFCON defending champion in a five goal thriller at the Alexander stadium on Saturday.

Ighalo who scored two goals in the fierce encounter was celebrated by CAF for the feat with special recognition and posted on a world wide web a decourated action picture of the Nigeria international with the caption: ‘MAN OF THE MATCH’.

SEE MATCH SUMMARY

Two second-half goals put Nigeria through
Holders Cameroon eliminated
Nigeria last won the tournament in 2013
Nigeria will face hosts Egypt or South Africa in quarter-finals

SEE MATCH STAT

MATCH REPORT

Holders Cameroon were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Nigeria in a five-goal last-16 thriller.

Goals from Stephane Bahoken and Clinton Njie saw Cameroon lead 2-1 at half-time after Odion Ighalo had put Nigeria ahead in Alexandria, Egypt.

But two goals in three minutes swung the game back in Nigeria’s favour and set up a quarter-final with either hosts Egypt or South Africa.

Ighalo equalised before the forward set up Alex Iwobi to hit the winner.

Nigeria had been on the receiving end of an upset in their previous game, a 2-0 defeat by Madagascar in their final group match.

Yet they produced their best performance of the tournament to end Cameroon’s hopes of retaining the title they won in Gabon in 2017.

Ighalo’s deflected shot gave Nigeria the lead before Bahoken side-footed the equaliser after Christian Bassogog’s cross.

In an enthralling tie, Cameroon took the lead through Njie’s composed finish.

Man-of-the-match Ighalo made it 2-2 with a volley after Ahmed Musa’s chest down before Ighalo turned provider for Arsenal’s Iwobi to slot in a dramatic decisive goal.