Cameroon qualifies for the second round of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers after a 3-0 victory (aggregate 3-2) against Uganda. Goals were scored by Ajara Njoya, Monique Ngock, and Falone Meffometou.
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionnesses created the surprise on October 31st 2023 at the Bepanda Omnisports Stadium in Douala, as they came defeating the Crested Cranes of Uganda 3 goals to nothing. (3-2 on aggregate), to qualify for the next round of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.
Fast forward into the game, Nchoute Njoya Ajara came finding the lead with a superb kick that sent the ball bouncing on the woodwork before crossing the goal line, leaving the Ugandan keeper in a state of incapacity.
The score remained as 1 – 0 in favor of Cameroon, until the second half began. Before a Ugandan team looking forward to hold on to their remaining 2-1 advantage, on aggregate, Aboudi Onguene and her team mates didn’t stop pressing.
Finally, the pressure they were continuously mounting paid off when Monique Ngock, thanks to a header, found an equalizer, leveling the score on aggregate to 2 – 2, 10 minutes to the end of regular time.
At this point, all was still to be played. Both teams were back to ground zero. With the score being 2 – 2 on aggregate, a goal from any of the sides would seal their victory, hence their qualification for the next round of the qualifiers.
With strong tactics put in place, and no goal coming in for a victory, both sides were compelled to go in for prolongations.
Tension was felt. The teams had a stiff defense line and Cameroon’s goal keeper for the night proved her worth as she kept her goals undefiled despite persistent pressure from the Crested Cranes.
It was only five minutes to end of prolongations time that Falone Meffometou seized the opportunity in the 18meters box of the Ugandans, from a freekick by Nchoute Njoya Ajara, and came finding the back of the nets with the 3rd goal of the night(3-2 on aggregate), thereby grabbing their qualification ticket for the next round of the 2024Paris Olympic qualifiers.
The ladies of head coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck, proved their supremacy, as it was elementary, after they failed to qualify for the 2023Morocco Female Africa Cup of Nations, loosing to Kenya, last September.
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionnesses are now expected to face in the next stage, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, their main rival so far as football is concerned.
FRU William
