Handball 2024 AFCON: Cameroon’s qualification chances slimmed.
By Stephen TADAHA
In two matches at the Men’s Handball Africa Cup of Nations currently taking place in Egypt, Cameroon’s National team has won one against Congo 25-21 and lost the other to Guinea 19-23.
With these contrasting results, the Handball Lions’ destiny is partially in their hands given that they are still second in group B of the competition and only the first two qualify per group to the knockout stage.
Ahead of their umpteenth clash with the continent’s giants and host Egypt on Sunday, January 21, the Lions, with a possible defeat should be obliged to limit the damages and hope Guinea does not win Congo if they dream of qualifying to the next round.
Limiting the damages against Egypt means the boys of Tagne Placide should avoid defeat by a large margin ( for example 10 goals difference), because others were largely beaten by the title holders.
Egypt 33-15 Guinea (+18)
Egypt 34-19 Congo (+15)
If this possibility holds, the Lions’ chances will now depend on the Guinea vs Congo encounter.
Guinea is third with 2 points and a goal difference of – 14 while Congo tails the group with zero points and a goal difference of – 19. A win or a draw for Guinea will shatter Cameroon’s hopes while the hopes will remain intact if Congo were to beat Guinea.
Cameroon’s national team has never won the tournament in 17 previous participations. The team’s best result was the second spot obtained at their first participation in 1974 in Tunisia. Since the 5th place obtained in 2016, Cameroon has been dangling between the 9th and 15th places.
Will the team succeed in grabbing a quarter-final spot in 8 years?
Our fingers are crossed!
