We Won’t Disappoint Africa, Cameroun’s Lionesses Pledge

Meet China Today In Race For Quarterfinal

AIMING to emulate the performance of their male counterparts, Indomitable Lions at the Italian ‘90 World Cup, Africa’s only surviving team in the on-going FIFA Women’s World Cup, Lionesses of Cameroun, have vowed to keep the continent’s flag flying at the competition.

They face eight-time Asian champions, China, in the battle for a quarterfinal ticket today in Edmonton.

The Lionesses, who are making a debut in the World Cup, have been the surprise story here in Canada, after beating Ecuador 6-0 and coming from a goal down to beat Switzerland 2-1 in their last group game. They gave defending champions, Japan, a great battle in the second group game, despite losing 1-2.

Today against China, the Lionesses say they will set their eyes on history by doing everything possible to reach the last eight. “We have to take the matches as they come,” team assistant coach, former captain, Bernadette Anong, told The Guardian in a chat after a training session yesterday.

Anong, who played professional football in Nigeria, featured for clubs like Pelican Stars of Calabar, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, Delta Queens of Asaba and Capital Queens of Abuja. She is optimistic of her country ‘taking care’ of the fast moving Chinese in today’s game.

“We are new in the World Cup, but sincerely speaking, we have good and experienced players who can hold their own at big competitions. I don’t really have much to say for now, but I am very sure we will win this match. Who says Cameroun can’t win the trophy in our first attempt?

In their last game against fellow newcomers, Switzerland, the Lionesses came from a goal down to win with second-half goals from Gabrielle Onguene and Madeleine Ngono Mani. They finished second in Group C behind reigning champions, Japan.