Sud Ladies Cup: Cameroon Defeats France On Penalties
The U19 women’s national team of France lost to Cameroon 10-9 on penalties after a 3-all parity in their second match of the Sud Ladies Cup 2023 on Friday evening in Avignon.
The 2nd day of the 4th edition of the Sud Ladies Cup on Friday, was a bad outing for France who couldn’t add to the initial success obtained two days ago against Panama (3-1).
Up against Cameroon, the Tricolors led twice but finally lost on penalties (9-10), at the Parc des Sports d’Avignon (Vaucluse).
The fact that Cameroon was beaten 3-0 by Japan in the opener gave the French players a lot of trouble, as they underestimated Cameroon. The start of the match was played in continuous rain, but nevertheless favorable to the Bleuettes with an opener by Chloé Neller in the 5th minute, on a cross from the right by Madeleine Yetna, the Paris FC midfeilder. Despite a somewhat disjointed game, France scored a second shortly before the break, on a fine shot from Alice Marques at the 43rd minute.
That was enough to bring the indomitable Lionesses to their senses. Moments later, Brenda Ebika Tabe, infiltrated into the area, and beat Emma Francart with a shot from the penalty spot for 2-1 at the 45th minute mark. Then shortly after returning from the locker room, Bernadette Ngaseh Mbele equalised with a long eccentric free kick on the right, taking advantage of a missed aerial exit from the French keeper.
France regained the lead with a free kick taken from the left by Fanny Rossi in front of the goal, 6 minutes after the hour mark. However, Cameroon came back in the game, thanks to Marlène Essimi Ewoubou whose direct free kick, rolled up with the right foot, lobbed Emma Francart (3-3, 76th). Cameroon would have snatched the victory in the last seconds without the clumsiness of Annie Felicia Enganemmen Toutina, who missed her one v one at the 90th.
Finally, it was only after an interminable penalty shootout that the two teams were separated. France was beating courtesy a failed attempt from Chloé Neller.
