The Cameroon women’s national team, the Indomitable Lionesses, held their last training session on Monday ahead of the second leg of their Olympic qualifier against Ivory Coast tomorrow.
The Lionesses safely jetted in the country on Sunday from Abidjan where the team forced a barren draw on Saturday against the Les Elephants.
Team coach Alain Djeumfa expressed optimism of the team registering an impressive result, at the Ahmadou Ahijo Stadium in Yaounde, which will see them advance to the third round of the qualifiers.
Cameroon are bidding to make a return to the Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012, while Cote d’Ivoire are eyeing a maiden appearance in Tokyo next year.
However, questions linger over both nations, with Ivory Coast perceived as outsiders whilst Cameroon continue to be plagued by exasperating inconsistency in recent years.
If Cameroon fully realises their offensive potential, as they did during past round matches, then it is difficult to see Ivory Coast handling the Indomitable Lionesses vast array of attacking riches.
The problem for Cameroon is that too often they have flattered to deceive in an attacking capacity, with such offensive off days exposing an error-prone and vulnerable backline.
Norway based Ajara Nchout represents the jewel in Cameroon’s glittering attacking crown. If the mazy winger recreates the sparkling form showcased both throughout qualification and in recent Norwegian League outings, Ivory Coast’s defensive quarters could endure the most torrid of afternoons.
Considering the high stakes involved, both sides will employ systems primarily revolving around the counter-attack. Although it should be highlighted that Cameroon will be fielding a galaxy of foreign players, the team have become somewhat of a more expressive group when compared against Les Elephants team composed of young unexposed talents.
Cameroon undoubtedly possesses the required x-factor to open even the tightest of games, however, that ability coming to fruition on Tuesday is likely to be dictated by whether their schizophrenic attacking personality can be channelled in a positive manner.
A winner of the two-legged encounter will face either Kenya or Zambia with the victor qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.
