The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, a highly successful women’s football team in Africa, experienced an unexpected elimination from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WACON) qualifiers. Kenya emerged victorious over Cameroon in a closely contested match.
Despite securing a 1-0 victory over the Harambee Starlets in Douala, Cameroon needed only a draw to advance. However, Kenya managed to score a crucial goal, resulting in a 1-1 aggregate score. The subsequent penalty shootout saw Kenya convert four of their five penalties, while Cameroon missed two, leading to a 4-3 defeat.
Coach Jean Baptist Bisseck expressed his deep disappointment over the team’s loss, acknowledging missed opportunities and praising Kenya’s performance. He emphasized the need for improvement in finishing, decision-making, patience, and composure on the ball to compete at the highest level.
The Indomitable Lionesses’ elimination highlights the rapid rise of women’s football in Africa. Kenya, a team that had never qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations before, demonstrated their strength by defeating Cameroon.
Cameroon now faces the challenge of regrouping and making necessary changes to regain their competitive edge. The upset serves as a reminder that women’s football in Africa is evolving, and Cameroon must adapt to remain a force in major tournaments.
The unexpected elimination of the Indomitable Lionesses raises questions about the future of women’s football in Cameroon. Having last won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2016, losing to Nigeria in the finals, they have now failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in over two decades.
Kenya, on the other hand, advances to face the winner of the match between Gabon and Botswana. Meanwhile, Morocco, the previous AWCON hosts and runners-up, eagerly await the unfolding of the tournament.