AFCON Women's Champions 2016: Cameroon qualifies for Semi Finals

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have qualified for the second round of the ongoing 10th edition of the African Women Nation Cup, AWCON, after beating Banyana Banyana of South Africa 1-0 in the second group A match.

Staged last Tuesday November 22 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Géneviève Ngo Mbeleck’s strike at the 83rd minutes handed Cameroon a ticket to the second round of the competition.

Before the end of the first period, both teams had been right as they delivered a high-priced match. The abrupt speed and dribbling of Aboudi Onguéné, Ngono Mani’s and the physical pressing of Gaëlle Enganamouit thirst for a goal did not produced anything but instead gave South Africa opportunity to score first. 

Andisiwe tried to test Annette Ngo Ndom at the 30th minutes but the ball went over the cross bar. It was not until the 43rd, when the first and only shot of Cameroon went to the pole thanks to Nchout Ajara who saw her strike easily captured by the goalkeeper of South Africa.

As hard as it was, the first 45 minutes of the match saw the two teams separated on a goalless draw.Returning from the locker room, the two teams were once again engaged in a long sequence of attacks and counter-attacks, without any one succeeding in penetrating the secrets of the defense of the other.

However, while the South Africans contented themselves with looking for meager solutions in the sides with a few almost passing behind the cage of Annette Ngo Ndom, Cameroon was trying everything including Gaëlle Enganamouit who compelled the guard when her header passed over the cross bar at the 80th minutes.

Later, Géneviève Ngo Mbeleck, the former player of FK Minsk was in the right place at the right time to take over from Nchout Ajara.

Mbeleck’s goal propels her team into the semifinals of the competition.Relieved by the victory, the coach of Cameroon, Enow Ngachu, told reporters during the post-match press conference that it was the mindset of the Lionesses that made the difference as they gave everything to solve the South African equation.

“Matches against South Africa are often very difficult. Today, I think it was the mindset of the lionesses that made the difference. The girls were more serious than their opponent. Thank God, we managed the game well to score when needed. This victory synonymous with qualification confirms us in our ambition in this competition to win the final trophy.i think this match was a replay of what happened in 2014 in Namibia. Congratulations also to our opponent who were unlucky” Enow Ngachu said.