THE Super Eagles are seeking to extend an unbeaten streak against Cameroon when the two meet in a double-header in Austria.
After suffering heartbreaking defeats to the Indomitable Lions previously, the Super Eagles have gone the last six games against their bitter rivals without losing.
Now, the Nigerians have been offered the opportunity to stretch the run with two back-to-back friendly games on Friday and Tuesday (the second game was confirmed on Thursday).
Since beating the Super Eagles on penalties in the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos, the Indomitable Lions have not tasted victory against Nigeria.
The neighbours have met six times since then, Nigeria winning five times and the other game ending in a draw.
The Super Eagles have since beaten the Indomitable Lions twice at AFCON (2-1 in the quarter-finals of Tunisia 2004 and 3-2 in the round of 16 of Egypt 2019), in the LG Cup in 2003 (3-0), in a friendly in 2015 (3-0) and in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo in September 2017 (4-0).
The only draw in that period was the 1-1 in Yaound in the return leg of the World Cup qualifier three days after the Uyo win.
Also, the Super Eagles are unbeaten against all opposition in five matches, winning two and drawing three of their fixtures since losing 1-0 to Algeria in a friendly in Austria last October.
They have drawn 1-1 with Tunisia in a friendly match; drawn 4-4 and 0-0 with Sierra Leone in back-to-back 2021 AFCON qualifying matches in November, and defeated Benin Republic 1-0 in Porto Novo and Lesotho 3-0 in Lagos in 2021 AFCON qualifiers in March.
With the arrival of Sparta Trnava of Slovakia defender Anthony Izuchukwu on Wednesday, the number of players in the Nigeria camp at the Hilton Garden Inn went up to 21.
Despite a rash of withdrawals by some first team regulars including Victor Osimhen, Zaidu Sanusi and Joe Aribo, the Eagles still have a strong squad.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender William Troost-Ekong, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Kelechi Iheanacho are some of the regulars who are in Austria for the games.
After Friday’s first match, the neighbours will clash again in a second game also at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Vienna on Tuesday.
Super Eagles players in camp:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, John Noble
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Valentine Ozornwafor, Chidozie Awaziem, Anthony Izuchukwu, Jamilu Collins
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Abdullahi Shehu, Abraham Marcus, Samson Tijani
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Paul Onuachu, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Anayo Iwuala, Terem Moffi, Peter Olayinka
