By Angu Lesley
Football writer kick442.com-Cameroon
Cameroon’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup came to a painful end on Saturday after the U-17 Lionesses were eliminated by Senegal in the second round of the African qualifiers.
After holding Senegal to a goalless draw in the first leg in Dakar, the young Lionesses returned to Yaoundé hoping to capitalize on home advantage and secure passage to the next round. However, despite their efforts, neither side could find the breakthrough during regulation time, with the return leg also ending 0-0.
With the aggregate score locked at 0-0 after 180 minutes, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout. Senegal held their nerve from the spot, edging Cameroon 5-4 to seal qualification and leave the hosts heartbroken in front of their home supporters at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.
The result marks another setback for Cameroonian youth football on the international stage. The U-17 Lionesses join the country’s U-20 women’s national team and U-20 men’s national team, both of whom also failed to secure places at their respective FIFA World Cups.
For coach Josephine Mike Ndoumou and her players, the elimination will be difficult to accept after a disciplined defensive display across both legs. Cameroon managed to keep Senegal scoreless throughout the tie but ultimately paid the price for failing to convert their chances and for the fine margins that often define penalty shootouts.
Senegal, meanwhile, continue their World Cup qualification campaign, while Cameroon will be left to reflect on another missed opportunity and the growing challenge of restoring the country’s presence at youth World Cup competitions
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