CAN 2022 Women: against Nigeria, Cameroon wants to bring down the queens of Africa
Cameroonian Claudine Falonne Meffometou during CAN 2022. © Courtesy of CAF
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
Cameroon faces Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the Women's African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022), this July 14 in Casablanca.
Also at stake is a direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup. But for the Cameroonians, it is also a question of breaking the hegemony of Nigerians, three reigning African champions and who have beaten them four times in the final of the competition. .
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From our special correspondent in Casablanca,
In 14 matches in the African Cup of Nations, the Nigerians have beaten the Cameroonians ten times, drawn three times and lost only once: in a match for 3rd place at the CAN 2012. The Super Falcons have notably imposed four times in the final (1991, 2004, 2014 and 2016) against their neighbors.
Not clear enough?
So let's add that Nigeria scored 38 goals against Cameroon and only conceded six in the same time...
Under such conditions, is it possible that the Cameroonians approach the quarter-finals of
CAN 2022
against the three reigning African champions without a small inferiority complex?
"
It's true that we have always lost
(sic)
against Nigeria and that it's a very good team
, underlines defender Claudine Falone Meffometou who even forgets the 1-0 victory of 2012.
But it's up to us to put all the elements to break this chain.
You have to give everything for it
”.
"
Put Nigerian women back on the ground
"
Despite a frustrating start to the tournament (0-0 against Zambia, 1-1 against Togo, before a 2-0 success against Tunisia), coach Gabriel Zago is optimistic.
“
It is high time to tell Nigeria that we too have grown up and put their backs to the ground
, launches the technician.
I don't even want to talk about an Indian sign to break against Nigerian women.
Nigeria understood before many other African nations the value of women's football.
From now on, Cameroon is also putting all the necessary means to promote women's football.
This is why the gap between our two nations has really narrowed
”.
For the past ten years, Cameroonians have indeed regularly held out for those who have won 11 of the 13 editions.
But, at the same time, West Africans have become accustomed and adapted to this growing adversity at the CAN.
"
Nigeria have always been the team to beat
," said defender Osinachi Ohale.
When you come to a competition like this and everyone wants to put you down, you can't let yourself go.
You continue to work, to trust the people who train you, your management and your partners
”.
She adds : "
Yes, Cameroon wants to beat us, like everyone else.
But we want to keep beating them and keep winning.
We are here for that and we are not going to stop like this
”.
The Indomitable Lionesses have been warned: with a place in the World Cup at stake, the queens of Africa will capitulate all the less.
CAN 2022 women: calendar, rankings and results
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