2021 AFCON: Cameroon v Comoros – Dreams are high

Hosts Cameroon face debutants Comoros in Yaounde for the account of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.

Between the five-time champions and the newcomers, dreams seem high for a place in the quarterfinals.

Match Card

• Date: 24 January 2022
• Time: 20:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
• Venue: Olembe Stadium, Yaounde
• Round of 16
• Match: Cameroon v Comoros

• Cameroon – Confidence in a sixth star

Antonio Conceiçao's team seem confident about the rest of the competition. The teammates of Vincent Aboubakar, best player and scorer in the group stage, continue their preparation in serenity with the quarterfinals as their sights.

"We must respect our opponent of the day even if they are playing their first AFCON,” indicated the Cameroonian coach. “We are calmly preparing our meeting and our objective remains clear the February 6th final".

What they said

• Antonio Conceiçao (Cameroon Coach)

“We know that we are going against a good team from the Comoros. We have studied our opponent who remains difficult. It is true that it is not a team with a big name, but they have very good players. They are a disciplined team, focused and playing without pressure. The objective for us is to win to go further in the competition.”

• Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Cameroon Player)

“We live in a family atmosphere with serenity, especially in our preparation. It's true that I'm a substitute but I don't think about that. For me, coming out of a long injury, the important thing is to work at the service of the group and the Cameroonian people. The most important thing is the team.”

• Comoros – Over the moon

"We are living a dream". These are the words of Comoros captain Nadjim Abdou 24 hours from the historic round of 16 between the Cœlacanthes and the Indomitable Lions.

Comoros team, qualified for their first-ever AFCON, wants to continue their dream even if the mission will be difficult against the host country.

"We know we are going to play against a great team, but all this is a bonus for us," said the Comorian captain.

What they said

• Daniel Padovani (Comoros Goalkeepers Coach)

"We played our all-out during the group stage and that's what allowed us to progress to the round of 16. We are experiencing an exceptional situation with several players and staff members affected by COVID-19. We must manage this situation and find the necessary solutions. We will play with the same values, with our usual state of mind".

• Nadjim Abdou (Player, Comoros)

"We are living a dream. The hardest part is yet to come and for us, everything we are going through is a bonus. Against Cameroon, we are going to play our usual game. We are calmly preparing for a match against to a great team."