Olympic Games Qualifiers

Lionesses held 1-1 by Ghana’s Black Queens
The Black Queens of Ghana on Saturday held the Indomitable Lionesses during the third round qualifiers to a 1-1 tie at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde.
    The Lioness entered the game with determination with Ngo Mbeleck Edith failing to give Cameroon an early lead barely minutes into the game, after a well-orchestrated assist from Edoa Henriette.
    The continued pressure on the Blacks Queens was unbearable but it was the visitors that broke the dead lock in the 31st minute through Myles Mercy from close range.
    Efforts from the Lionesses to equalize before half time were futile.
    However, the second period seemed to be excellent for the girls who put in their possible best galvanized by the huge crowds that turn out to cheer them to victory.
    Every move was appreciated and barely 14 minutes in the second half Cameroon leveled scoring through a beautiful free kick executed by team captain Manie Christine.

    To Lionesses coach Enow Ngachu, better preparations will help them secure a win in the return leg,
    “Today we ameliorated the way we played in the World Cup. We had no problem of concentration even though the Ghanaians scored a surprise goal that we did not expect. It is unfortunate that we did not win but i am satisfied with my players because they did their best. We will try to put them in camp as early as possible and I think better preparation will ensure a win in the second match”.
    On his part, Captain Manie Christaine said it was not easy during the preparations for the game, “it was not easy as compared to the World cup. We were playing together for one month and this time around we saw what happened.”
    Coach Yussif Basigi of Ghana was also happy with the score line even though it was not their objective in Cameroon. “Cameroon has improved so well in women football making Africa very proud. We respect them so much. The draw was not our objective but we are happy and hope to perform well during the return leg at home”.
    The Lionesses 1-1 tie comes after a difficult preparation ahead of the match. According to reports, the Lionesses officially went to camp 48 hours before the match.
    Ranked 43th in the last FIFA rankings as against 52nd for Ghana, the Lionesses are expected to sail through after the return leg in two weeks.
    It should be noted that the lionesses played without stars like Gaëlle Enganamouit and Feudjio Raissa who were not released by their respective clubs.