2023 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers : Challenging Task Awaits Lionesses

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon missed out on a direct ticket to the 2023 FIFA World Cup after failing to make it to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which held in Morocco. Their dreams of still qualifying for the global showpiece were kept alive as they succeeded to pick one of the two African spots in the 10-nation inaugural intercontinental playoff tournament by beating Botswana 1-nill in the 5th and 6th place match of the Women’s AFCON. The Cameroonian team thus came back from the continental showpiece knowing that they have just one last chance to realise their dreams of taking part in three successive editions of World Cup after those of 2015 and 2019.
On Friday October 14, 2022 when the World football governing body, FIFA, conducted the draws for the intercontinental playoff tournament, with 10 countries to battle for three available tickets, Cameroon knew she has an uphill task ahead. The Lionesses were pooled in Group A alongside Thailand and Portugal. According to the format of the tournament to take place between 18 and 23 February 2023 in the New Zealand cities of Auckland and Hamilton, Cameroon must first beat Thailand before being eligible to play Portugal in the Group A final to determine the team that will qualify for the World Cup. 
Looking at the calibre of these opponents, the qualification path really looks complicated for Cameroon. Portugal and Thailand, hitherto considered underdogs in women’s football in the world, are becoming one of the fastest-rising titans. Portugal is presently ranked 23rd on the latest FIFA rankings, over 30 places above Cameroon...