Cameroon’s Lionesses win Gold at All-Africa Games

Cameroon’s women have won All-Africa Games gold for the first time by beating Ghana 1-0 in the women’s football final at Maputo’s national stadium while the men’s (U-23) team won Bronze at the tournament.

Madeleine Mani Ngono headed in a cross in the 56th minute in the Ladies’ final that was played in front of a very small crowd, the BBC reported on Saturday.

“We’re very pleased, but Nigeria are still the best team in Africa,” said Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu.

The victory is Cameroon’s greatest achievement in women’s football, the BBC said (full match report here).

Meanwhile Cameroon’s men’s team beat Senegal 5-4 after post-match penalty-kicks in the third place play-off game. Both teams were tied at 1-1 after normal time, Cafonline reported.

Cameroon won this tournament thrice in a row (1999, 2003 and 2007) but their hegemony ended this year when Ghana defeated them 1-0 at the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Nigeria beat Cameroon 3-2 to win Africa U-20 Cup

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat the Junior Lions of Cameroon 3-2 after extra-time to lift the Africa Youth Championship trophy on Sunday.

The winning goal was scored two minutes into prolongations after both teams had separated 2-2 following 90 minutes of football.

Nigeria had drawn first blood at the 74th minute when a rare error by Cameroon’s centre-back allowed  Nigerian striker Olanrewaju Kayode to beat  goalkeeper Jean Efala for the opening goal.

Kayode was to come back five minutes later to haunt Cameroon pushing goalkeeper Efala to foul him for a penalty that was scored by the tournament’s best goal scorer Uche Nwofor (4 goals).

The Lions’ never-say-die attitude  however got them back into contention for the title that has eluded them since 1995. Frank Ohandza shot from inside the box to reduce  the tally to 2-1 at the 82nd minute. Cotonsport Garoua’s Edgar Salli added a second at the 85th minute to take both teams to extra-time.

Cameroon, who were playing their second prolongation in the competition, lost concentration in the opening minutes of this phase of the game and conceded a goal scored by substitute Terry Enyoh.

It is the second consecutive U-20 Cup final that Cameroon’s Junior Lions are losing. They were beaten 2-0 by Ghana two years ago in Rwanda.

We’ll be back with an overview of the cubs’ tournament.