Lionesses qualify for FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada

Captain Christine Manie led by example scoring the winner in 118th minute to aid Cameroon to a 2-1 win over a resilient Cote d’Ivoire side on Wednesday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.

The central defender headed in from a corner-kick with two minutes away from extra time to ensure that for the first time ‘Les Lionnes’ qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Cameroonians will also face old foes Nigeria, in the final on Saturday, 25 October 2014 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium whilst South Africa battles Cote d’Ivoire in the final slot for next year’s World Cup in Canada.

‘Les Elephantes’ gave their opponents a good run for their money before finally succumbing at the death of the game.

Cameroon went on the attack from the onset with Gaelle Enganamouit asking so much questions about the Ivorian defence.

By the quarter-hour mark, Enganamouit had already two chances, the first a shot from a free-kick which went wide and the other a long range effort which was no trouble for Ivorian goalie Ange Marie Thiamale.

‘Les Elephantes’ rarely threatened and captain Estelle Nahi, who has been a pain on the neck of most defenders at the tournament operated from the flanks as usual but was unusually quiet.

Two minutes before the break, Enganamouit found herself in a much position to score, but after beating her markers, the Sweden-based forward struck a poor shot at the around the penalty arc.

Early in the second half, Nahi was forced to switch from both flanks in her quest to find spaces in the Ivorians defence.

The turning moment of the game for the Cameroonians came on 47 minutes with the introduction of Nchout Njoya Ajara for Iven Mihamle. The 21-year old Ajara instantly made her presence felt cutting into the opponent’s backline with so much ease and providing supplies to Enganamouit, who was an established threat for ‘Les Elephantes’.

On 55 minutes, Ajara was put through by Francine Zouga, but Thiamele denied her with a point blank save.

‘Les Lionnes’ finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark and it was no other than Enganamouit. Ajara fetched Enganamouit, who in turn delivered a thunderbolt that Ivorain goalie Thiamele had no answers to.

The lead lasted for only six minutes before Ines Tia drew parity with an effort from close range.

With the game heading for a stalemate, both sides lifted up their game in search for the winning goal to seal the game.

On 75 minutes, the Cameroonians were let off the hook after Nahi cut through only to shoot across the face of goal.

A blunder by Cameroon goalie Ngo Ndom almost gifted the Ivorians the winner in the dying stages but captain Manie weathered the storm with a timely clearance.

Ajara made her presence felt in the first half of extra time, with runs on the flanks that kept Mariam Diakite very busy.

With the game almost for penalties, Manie headed in from a corner to wrap up a famous victory for her side two minutes from time.

It is the first time Cameroon had reached the final of the biennial championship since its inception in 1998.