Cameroon's Naomi Eto: 'Nigeria are favourites, but nothing is impossible' in WAFCON showdown

[p]The Indomitable Lionesses come into this game having stayed unbeaten in their group matches, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/cameroon-GjLfzCAQ/nigeria-KbvGP3KC/?mid=dxhWUldm"]setting up a date with the reigning African Queen[/a]s with a place in the semi-final at stake.[/p][p]Despite needing a tie-breaker to reach the last eight as Group C runners-up, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/KbvGP3KC/"]Super Falcons[/a] head to the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca as favourites thanks to their wealth of experience and a long-standing pedigree on the continental stage. [/p][p]However, the Sassuolo player reveals her Cameroonian team has no intention of being overawed by their illustrious opponents who boast ‘great qualities’.[/p][p][b]"Nigeria is a very great nation in African Women's Football and deserves all our respect,”[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/eto-naomi/YeZgXA8U/"]Eto[/a] told [a href="https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-africa-cup-of-nations/news/we-will-give-everything-on-the-pitch-cameroon-s-naomi-eto/" target="_blank"]CAFonline.[/a][/p][p]"We know we are not the favourites and, in fact, we never really were in this competition. But we also know what we want to achieve. [/p][p][b]"We have a game plan prepared by the staff and we work every day to progress, both in training and during video meetings or even in our exchanges amongst the players.”[/b][/p][p]The 21-year-old is also aware of the unpredictability that comes with knockout football. While Nigeria may possess the stronger record, she believes the outcome will ultimately be decided on the pitch.[/p][p][b]"We know that every match is different. Football always has surprises in store. At this stage of the competition, there will inevitably be a winner,”[/b] she continued. [/p][p]"Nigeria has great qualities, but a match is played on the pitch. One thing is certain - we will give everything on the pitch.[/p][p][b]"Playing against a team of this level is obviously something special. Many Cameroonian players would dream of being in this position. If I am part of this squad today, it is because the staff saw potential in me."[/b][/p][image alt="Naomi Eto" id="a60f6638-52a9-437f-8b29-e39be27eb569" credit-line="Mauricio Duenas Castaneda / EPA / Profimedia" guid="cae45328-89e5-444e-85a6-34f6b5282bb0" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p]Asked whether [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cameroon/GjLfzCAQ/"]Cameroon[/a] could spring a surprise against Nigeria, Eto was quick to reject the idea that a victory would be an upset. [/p][p]Instead, she believes the Lionesses must approach the quarter-final with the same confidence that has carried them through the tournament.[/p][p][b]"I wouldn't call it a surprise," [/b]Eto continued.[/p][p]"We will approach this match as we have approached all the others since the start of the tournament. [/p][p][b]"Our goal is to continue to have fun together, because it is this state of mind that has allowed us to come this far.[/b][/p][p]"We will not change the way we play. We will continue our work, apply the technical staff’s plan and seek to correct the few shortcomings that we have identified. [/p][p][b]"We have little time, but we will make the best use of it to be more effective. We know there is a favourite, and it's not us, but in football nothing is a foregone conclusion."[/b][/p][p]Victory for either side would secure a place in the semi-finals, where a showdown with hosts [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IButJ9mf/"]Morocco[/a] awaits at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. [/p][p]More importantly, the winner would also book their ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, adding even greater significance to an already highly anticipated quarter-final clash.[/p]