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African Women’s Champs : Cameroon’s World Cup Dream Shattered (09.11.2006)
Lionesses humiliated by the Super Falcons, 0 — 5, at the Warri Township stadium yesterday.
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon yesterday bowed to the Super Falcons of Nigeria, 0 — 5, in one of the semi-final matches of the on-going 5th African Women’s Footbal Championship in Nigeria. The match at the Warri Township stadium was watched by an enthusiastic Nigerian public, who happily cheered their team to glory. Besides missing out on the final, Cameroon has also failed to qualify for the 5th FIFA Women`s World Cup in China next September.
Yesterday’s encounter started off slowly for both teams. But the Super Falcons quickly imposed themselves as they created several scoring opportunities. The Lionesses fought back, but not for long as Nigeria’s Cynthia Uwak, sent in the curtain raiser at the 34th minute; her sixth goal in the tournament. The goal completely destabilized the Cameroonian side that already lacked cohesion in its play style. The defense was porous, the attack weak and the girls slow in speed. Captain Anong Bernadette, visibly exhausted after less than 30 minutes of play, had to hand over the captaincy to Bella Francoise. She was replaced by Mbah Rigoberte. This however did not stop Perpetua Nkwocha, two time African footballer of the year, from driving home Nigeria’s second goal at the lone additional minute of the first half.
Upon resumption, things worsened for Cameroon as it was a galore of goals. Perpetua Nkwocha, dribbled Cameroon’s defense to send in Nigeria’s third goal at the 47th minute. The numerous changes made by Cameroon’s coach, Charles Kamdem, did not help matters as agile Perpetua Nkwocha scored again at the 53rd minute
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to increase the goal tally to four. The goal was her sixth in the tournament. She joined team mate, Uwak, in the race for the golden boot. The last nail on Cameroon’s coffin was hammered home by Ekpo Efioanwan at the 61st minute. The match was therefore a replica of the last final in South Africa when the Super Falcons bashed the Lionesses, 5 — 0.
The victory of the Super Falcons of Nigeria over the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon came as no surprise to many people. Odd makers had predicated that Cameroon could only reach the final and as such qualify for the World Cup if it failed to meet super favorites, Nigeria, earlier on in the competition. The past performances of the Super Falcons and the level of development of feminine football in Nigeria were used to justify the tag of "super favorites" attributed to the Super Falcons. Next Saturday, therefore, Nigeria will be playing its 5th final of the African Women’s championship. And from all indication, the Super Falcons are determined to grab the trophy for a record five times. "Victory is certain. We will be smiling with the trophy on Saturday", Nigerian coach, Ntiero Effiom said. Cameroon, on the other hand, will have to battle for the "empty" third place on Friday. Coach Charles Kamdem says his girls were unusual tired yesterday. He regretted the heavy defeat and promised to work harder. Bella Francoise, who captained the Cameroonian side for a greater part of the match, said she was not surprised by the defeat as feminine football in Nigeria is far developed than in Cameroon. She said the result of yesterday’s match should serve as an eye opener to sports authorities who need to develop feminine football in Cameroon.
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