WAFCON Qualifier: Indomitable Lionesses pick one off Harambee Starlets

The Cameroon senior women’s national team opened its WAFCON qualifiers campaign with a slender 1-0 victory against Kenya, on Friday 22 at the reunification stadium. A reversed fixture is awaited on Tuesday September 26th.

The Indomitable Lionesses opened scoring through a thumping header by defender Eliane Manbolamo at the 9th minute. It came via a perfectly whipped cross by captain Aboudi Onguéné. A scenario having taken the early lead for jubilant fans roaring at the Reunification stadium in Douala. The joy was cut short as the Lionesses failed to convert clear cut chances. Just like that, coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck’s era started with a win against Coach Beldin Odemba who schemed a defensive team against Cameroon’s attacking armada.

Cameroon attacked the game from start with 3 shots on target in the opening 16 minutes. However, after the 9th minute goal, it became was a tale of missed chances.

Aboudi Onguéné failed to double the lead with an open goal just before half time. 6 shots on target in total for Cameroon with just one goal. Coach JB Bisseck introduced more attacking options in the second stanza: Brenda Tabe and the experienced Ajara Njoya were thrown in the fray but did not get the much expected 2nd goal. The Indomitable Lionesses looked shaky but did not encounter any real threat from the Harambee Starlets till the end.

Kenya now have it all to play for while Cameroon defends a one goal lead in the return leg in Nairobi that will be played on September 26, 2023.