WAFCON 2024 Qualifiers: Indomitable Lionesses set for Kenya show-down

By Tracy Kwaleh

The Indomitable lionesses of Cameroon will play against the Harambee Starlets of Kenya, in a first leg WAFCON qualifiers encounter at the Douala Reunification stadium, on September 22.

Both teams take aim for a slot in Morocco next year. Cameroon slightly missed out of the trophy and the women’s world cup in the last edition, while Kenya, simply did not qualify.

After Friday’s encounter, the ladies of coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck will later face Kenya in a return leg come September 26, in Nairobi, wherein the winner will play either Gabon or Botswana.

Cameroon, Kenya, Gabon and Botswana make up GROUP C of the African Women’s Cup of Nation Qualifications table.

The Harambee Starlets of
Kenyan are back on the football stage since their maiden appearance in 2016, at the African women’s Cup of Nations. Key players includes: Corazon Aquino, Annedy Kundu and cynthia Shilwatso.

Ruth Ingnotsi is equally known for her defensive skills. Meanwhile, Esse AKIDA makes her comeback after five years.

Both teams have met a couple of times in the past. The Harambee Starlet’s biggest defeat was in 2006 where the indomitable lionesses won via a 5-0 scoreline in the 2007 African Games Qualifiers.

Indomitable Lionesses head coach, Jean Baptiste Bisseck’s, 24-Woman squad includes nine local players who did extremely well in the local league, and a blend with other foreign players.

Regulars; Ange Bawou, Estelle Johnson, Marie Awona, were not shortlisted.
Although Cameroon seems favorite in this group, there must not take any chances in securing the victory.

Should the lionesses qualify, the five-time runners-up will mark their 14th appearance in this competition, with no major tittle yet.

The likes of Njoya Ajara, Aboudi Onguene, Abam Michaella are expected to lead the team to their very first victory of the new women’s calendar year in national team football.