Montpellier (AFP)

Cameroon's new hero is Ajara Nchout, her double (57, 90 + 5) qualified the Indomitable Lionesses for the Round of 16 defeating New Zealand (2-1) in the very last second.

This goal is enough to overtake the Nigerians, who have the same number of points (3) among the best third, the same difference goal (-2), but scored one goal less (2 against 3).

The gods of football rewarded Ajara, the best player on the field. Delicious controls oriented, the striker of Valerenga, Norway, has succeeded all afternoon, she scored on the most beautiful, pivot in the box, a pass Yvonne Leuko. And from the left, please, while she is right-handed.

On the winning goal, she chained with a lot of coolness several hooks to beat Erin Nayler again.

The Cameroonian bench exploded with joy and rushed on the star of the day. Some, like the tireless Raissa Feudjio, have collapsed from exhaustion.

Ajara also comforted Aurelle Awona, who had equalized with a horrible side-kick by clearing her clearance on an easy ball (80). She believed then to have broken the dream of Cameroon.

If Cameroon regains the eighth, like four years ago, New Zealand fails for the fifth time in as many participations.

Ajara has concretized the domination of all Lionesses, more enterprising and better organized, despite some technical faults.

The Cameroonian could have long regretted the ball of 2-0, which secured their qualification, but the keeper of the "Ferns", Erin Nayler, has made three saves shot after time! Two against Gabrielle Aboudi, who has still spent without counting, and one on a shot by Alexandra Takounda (64).

New Zealanders had dangerous balloons by Sarah Gregorius (63) and Betsy Hassett (74), but were too timid to force their fate. Only Gregorius and Olivia Chance tried to reverse the spell.

The choices of coach Alain Djeumfa have paid. He surprised leaving his captain, Christine Manié, on the bench. More comfortable in a defense to three, the head of the "den" was sacrificed by the passage to four, with a hinge Estelle Johnson-Awona very safe, despite the csc.

The Lionesses delighted the small crowd of La Mosson (8,000 spectators), who had sided with them, singing "Cameroun! Cameroun!", Perhaps in memory of Roger Milla, who played three years at Montpellier Hérault (1986- 1989).

But Cameroon's football hero Thursday was a young woman, Ajara Nchout.

? 2019 AFP