Women’s AFCON without Cameroon for first time in history
By Stephen TADAHA
Cameroon will not be part of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to take place in Morocco.
The Lionesses were beaten by Kenya 4-3 in post penalty shootout after a 1-0 defeat at regular time, in the return leg of their double game against Kenya counting for the first round qualifiers of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
The match was played at the Nyayo National stadium in Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The Lionesses conceded the goal at the 76th minute due to an error from goalkeeper Bihina on a free kick executed by Cynthia Shilwatsu.
Before Tuesday’s return leg match, the Lionesses had a slim 1-0 advantage over the Harambe Starlets and needed just a draw to grab their ticket into the 2nd qualifying round of the AFCON.
This means the Lionesses will not be part of the continental football jamboree for the first time since the tournament was created in 1991.
They finished second in the 1991, 2004, 2014, and 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations, participated in the 2012 Olympic Games and competed in their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.
FECAFOOT president on August 18, 2023 appointed Jean Baptiste Bisseck as new head coach of the team in replacement of Gabriel Zabo with the objective of building a competitive team that will be ready for the 2024 Africa women’s Nations Cup. An objective that has been ruined with this premature exit.
