Cameroon coach, Jean Baptiste Bisseck has expressed optimism and hope of qualification after his team’s goalless draw at home to the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
Coach Bisseck won the tactical battle against Randy Waldrum, succeeding to keep Asisat Lamina Oshoala quiet all night as the Super Falcons struggled to hit top gear at the Reunification Stadium in Bepanda, Douala.
Arguably one of the biggest tie of this third round qualification series for Africa demonstrated the close gap between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and the hosts who created the best chances, but fluffed them.
Reacting after the draw coach Bisseck affirmed they have what it entails to get the qualification away from home.
“We are going to Abuja to seek qualification. We have seen their strength and weaknesses. That Nigerian defense is beatable. It’s true I didn’t have all my offensive assets, but as I told you, Nigeria will see another opponent on Tuesday,” coach Bisseck promised.
Cameroon had an impressive first-half display creating the best opportunities and reducing coach Randy Waldrum’s Nigeria’s shot on target to zero, but unfortunately couldn’t make the most of that.
Meyong Menene, Lamine Mana Naomie Eto all had good chances to punish the visitors in a night Cameroon was way better than what they produced in the first-leg previous round of the series.
To coach Bisseck his team’s embryonic state accounts for that and there’s a clear plan.
“I am working on a long term project with this team. It’s not all about winning, but building something that will last.”
Alozie Michelle’s well worked corner provided the first confidence boaster for Michealy Bihina who gathered the high ball from a huge crowd to a thunderstorm of claps from the thousands of Cameroon fans at the stadium.
Charlene Meyong Menene could have put the hosts ahead in the almost the last attacking move of the first segment as her long range efforts from 35 meters forced a great acrobatic save off goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigerian defender, Osinachi Mavis Ohale cocked Kameni Alice Flora throughout the opening 45 minutes, reducing the striker to backwards touches instead of her trademark runs into the box.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini put the ball twice in the back of the Cameroonian net, but the Ugandan Referee Sharmirah Nabadda chalked it off to the disappointment of the Nigerian contingent.
Cameroon’s Lamine Mana played in Meyong for a clear cut chance against Chiamaka. Unfortunately for the Stade Reims midfielder, she could only drag her shot wide from inside the six yard area.
The next best chance of the game fell to Asisat Oshoala who had had a quiet evening but her run was well read by goalkeeper Michaely Bihina who quickly raced off her goal line to intervene with a great defensive block.
Though both sides made a number of changes in search of the game changing goal, it wasn’t to be as it finished goalless.
Coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck’s Cameroon side will travel to Nigeria for the second-leg game on Monday, February 26, hoping to get the better of their hosts and make it to the fourth round series against the winner of the tie between South Africa and Tanzania which the former took a healthy 3-0 lead this Friday.
Cameroon is hoping to qualify for the Olympics games for the first time since doing so for the London games in 2012 while Nigeria seeks to end a 16-year jinx that dates back to the Beijing games of 2008.
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