2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers : Cameroon Booted Out

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon will not take part in the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Paris, France. Their dreams were dashed by Nigeria in the third round African qualifiers. In effect, the Lionesses were defeated 0-1 yesterday February 26, 2024 by the Super Falcons in Abuja within the framework of the return leg. This was after a 0-0 tie in Douala; making it a 0-1 defeat on aggregate.
Cameroon presented a weaker picture in Abuja as compared to the game in Douala. Coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck made major changes in his starting 11, conspicuously bringing in team captain Aboudi Onguene and Cameroon’s reigning women’s Ballon d’Or, Ngah Manga as starters. Letting them start the game was not the major issue, but playing most of the players out of their comfort zones was what caused greater prejudice to the team in the first half. Aboudi who is used to the wings, was put in the central attack. Naomi Eto’o, a staunch midfielder was pushed upfront to the wings while attacker Ngah Manga was asked to play behind Aboudi Onguene. The outcome of these placements was a timid play where Cameroon had a weak midfield and an attack thirsty for crosses from the flanks as Lamine Mana and Eto’o were evidently not productive. Even if they had the opportunity to give the necessary crosses, Aboudi was not physically fit to make use of them. These difficulties finally helped Nigeria score the winner via Esther Okoronkwo ...