Olympic Qualifier: Cameroon Sink Zambia in Five-Goal Thriller

A second-half brace from Onguéné Gabrielle gave Cameroon 3-2 win over resilient Zambia in an Olympic qualifier on Thursday.

The Indomitable Lionesses nearly broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Michelle Akaba did well to dispossess a Copper Queens defender in the box, before seeing her left-footed effort palmed away by Hazel Nali.

Ngock Yango proved to be a real threat for Zambia and she nearly handed them the opening goal in 20th minute but her venomous strike sailed into the side-netting from close range.

Fellone Meffometou should have gifted the home side the lead just a minute later, as she did well to lose her marker before firing straight at Nali from 12-yards out.

However, it was Zambia who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Grace Chanda carved open the Lionesses with a simple one-two on the edge of the area before flashing the final shot wide of the left-hand post.

Cameroon hit back four minutes later as Njoya Anjara side-footed home from close range, after being picked out by Yango’s inch-perfect cross.

Zambia were gifted a great chance to score two minutes into the second half when Rhodah Chilesh met a cross from Hellen Mubanga, but the latter’s 16-yard shot came off her shin and went wide under no pressure.

Ange came to the home side rescue in the 66th minute, as the Lionesses goalkeeper produced a stunning save to deny Rachael Nachula from 12-yards out.

The Copper Queens were stunned again when a diagonal ball from Estelle Johnson found second-half substitute Onguéné Gabrielle, who needed no second invitation with a first-time finish to the far corner with 20 minutes remaining.

The visitors levelled the matters four minutes later when Chanda popped up at the far side to lash home from a tight angle.

Cameroon secured victory in the 89^th minute as Meyong played a fine pass for Gabrielle, who tapped home into an empty net.

Zambia setup a nervy finish three minutes of added time when Barbara Banda picked up Mary Mwakapila before firing straight at Ange from 10-yards out.