Women’s Handball AFCON: Cameroon finishes 7th, worst performance in ten years
By Stephen TADAHA
The Handball Lionesses of Cameroon and current vice champions have finished the 26th Women’s AFCON in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the 7th spot, out of 12 participating nations, the country’s worst performance in ten years. The girls of Serge Mangala won the 7th place after beating Algeria 29-24 this Friday, December 5, 2024.
This 7th position, is considered as below-average and follows their premature exit at the quarterfinal stage of the competition thus shattering their hopes of defending their status as African vice champions and taking part in the 2025 World Cup.
In 8 matches played at the tournament, the Lionesses won 5 and lost 3, scoring a total of 193 goals and conceding 185 thus a goal difference of +8.
Three Cameroonians were however distinguished in the course of the competition with the “woman of the match” title notably, goalkeeper, Berthe Anoukou on day 1 against Guinea, center back, Ateba Petronie on day 2 against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nnomo Sonya in their last game against Algeria.
Cameroon’s adventure at the continental competition was marred by bonus issues which were reportedly resolved according to officials of the handball federation. The absence of Cameroon’s ace player, Ekoh Karichma who abandoned her teammates before the start of the competition for professional obligations also had negative consequences on the team.
The 7th position is the country’s worst performance in ten years. The team still in search of its first ever AFCON title, finished second in the two previous editions, 4th in 2018 and 3rd in 2016.
All is now left to handball officials to go back to the drawing board and sort out strategies to better prepare the 27th edition of the tournament to be played in 2026.
