Lionesses boost chances with victory over Ethiopia

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have increased their qualification chances for the 2015 All Africa Games, following their 2-1 victory over the Ethiopia female football team on March 21, at the Addis Ababa Stadium.

The Lionesses staged a spectacular comeback, from a goal down to win the Ethiopians 2-1 on their home soil.

The soccer infantry of Coach Enow Ngachou squashed the hopes of the Ethiopians to qualify in front of their home crowd, who had thronged the stadium to cheer them to victory.

The Ethiopians benefited from a tactical error committed by one of the defenders of the Lionesses 15 minutes into the match to open scores.

After the goal, the home team took control of the match, displaying collective and skillful playing style and frustrating the efforts of the Lionesses.

With their swift attacking football style, the Ethiopians held on to the lead until the end of the first half. As both teams took to the vestry, Coach Enow Ngachou and his team needed a quick permutation to tame the soccer tides that were stacked against him in the first half.

During the second segment of the game, Enow Ngachou made a couple of substitutions, bringing on swift attackers and encouraging them to defend from the front.

The coach’s substitution began paying off at the 83rd minute, when Adoudi Onguene headed home Meffometou Falone’s cross to silence the Ethiopian fans.

The striker from Russian side, WFCZEZDA2005, became a constant menace to the Ethiopian defenders during the second segment of the game.

Matters degenerated from bad to worse for the home side as the minutes reduced to seconds. At the 88th minute, Ngono Mani, striker of CLAIX Football Club France, was fouled by an Ethiopian defender.

Aboudi Onguene, once again, converted the free kick into a goal to seal the fate of the Ethiopians.

After the Lionesses’ second goal, the Addis Ababa Stadium became empty, as the Ethiopians left in fury. In her post-match interview, the Captain of the Lionesses, Manie Christine, said winning the game does not mean Cameroon was superior.

She appreciated the tactical qualities of the Ethiopians, saying qualification chances for both teams, which will be decided on April 11, are 50-50. “The match was difficult and the Ethiopian side was very good. The only advantage we had is that we made the difference in the last minutes.

The Ethiopians gave us a tough time, but we responded positively,” Manie said. In a fourth-night, one of the teams would qualify for the 2015 All Africa Games billed for Congo Brazzaville.

As Champions at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, the Lionesses are set to defend their continental crown. Meanwhile, the team will return to camp at the CAF Technical Centre Friday, to prepare for the return leg.

Other Results Of The Qualifiers are Ghana-Zimbabwe 2-1, Botswana –South Africa 0-1, Egypt-Senegal 0-0, Ethiopia –Cameroon 1-2, Mali-Nigeria 1-1