By Eyong Macdella
Sports writer, kick442.com Cameroon
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon will be making an appearance at the 14th edition of the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations, come July 2nd.
Cameroon has been drawn in Group B of the Competition alongside, Zambia, Togo, and Tunisia.
Coach Gabriel Zabo selected 26 Indomitable Lionesses to represent the Nation in this year’s edition in Morocco, as they look forward to a first title win.
On the list, all three goalkeepers, seven defenders, four midfielders, and six forwards will be first-timers at the WAFCON.
Kevine Ossol, who scored the winner in the friendly game against Senegal, and current Guinness Super League top scorer Kameni Alice Flora who just like six other home-based players selected from the Guinness Super League, are part of Coach Gabriel Zabo’s squad.
A very obvious Absentee from the Cameroon National team is a former midfielder and Captain, Raïssa Feudjio, who has been down with an injury for a while that could not permit her to make the squad for Morocco.
She played in four consecutive African Cup of Nations tournaments, but will not take part in her fifth continental competition since the injury is yet to heal.
However, Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné will take charge to lead the Lionesses as she has been doing for some time now.
The CSKA Moscow forward was absent during the Indomitable Lionesses’ pre-AWCON friendly against Senegal, France and As Seyelles women, and in her place, Nchout Ajara Njoya Shepherd the flock.
Cameroon has been to the finals five times and all have been against the Super Falcons of Nigeria in… and 2016 when they hosted the tournament and lost to Nigeria in the Country’s Capital city, Yaounde.
It should be noted that The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon defeated the Women’s National Football Team of Gambia 10-1 aggregate to qualify for the 2022 AWCON in Morocco.
Gabriel Zabo who has always had a fair run since he took over at the helm of the lionesses den from Alain Djeumfa in 2021, now has a chance to take the girls to battle and come out victorious with the trophy as they target not only the AWCON title come but also a spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cameroon finished third in the last edition of the tournament in 2018.
Being runner-up five times means the lionesses have a chance to right their wrongs and make things work out for them this time around in Morocco beginning from match day one against Zambia if the formidable squad grabs all three points.
Cameroon will play her opening game on Sunday, June 3rd.
Key Players in the Den
Captain Gabriel Aboudi Onguene
Having secured her place and made her name as one of Africa’s best female players as well as one of the very best African players in Europe, The CSKA Moscow striker will lead her teammates to much-needed success.
She won the 2016 WAFCON best player, and it was she who scored the winner in Cameroon’s 2-1 win against the Gambia to confirm their 12th AWCON qualification ticket.
Onguene, has represented Cameroon at the National team level since 2008. At the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, she scored the equalizing goal in Cameroon’s 2–1 win over Switzerland and earned the Player of the Match award.
Since 2018, Gabriel Aboudi Onguéné has been nominated for African Women’s Footballer of the Year four consecutive times.
The Lioness has made over 53 appearances for the Cameroon National Team.
She is set to lead 19 debutants in Cameroon’s Squad.
Nchout Ajara Njoya
The Indomitable Lioness and Inter Milan striker is one of the tops and most essential players in the squad.
It was her goal in the 2019 FIFA World Cup against New Zealand that qualified the country for the knockout stages of the competition.
She joined the National team in 2012 and counts over 43 caps.
Ajara scored the Team’s only two goals that were recorded at the group stage of the 2019 World Cup, which took them to the round of 16.
She captained the team in the Pre-AWCON friendlies that took place last month in the absence of Gabriel Aboudi Onguene.
Estelle Johnson Laura
It is fair to say, Estelle Johnson is a safe bet for the Cameroon National Team in this competition.
She has been with the team since January 2019 after being brought in by Alain Djeumfa but made her debut on May 1st in a 0-4 friendly loss to Spain. She has been a powerhouse in defense compartment for Cameroon since her arrival and is set to defend her title from Sunday till the end of the Competition.
The Experienced defender is one of the19 players to taste the African showpiece for the first time.
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