- Cameroon’s U20 Lionesses secured a spot in the Round of 16 at the U20 Women’s World Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory over Australia
- Achta Toko Njoya and Naomi Eto’o scored the crucial goals, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination after a previous setback against Colombia
- Coach Hassan Balla praised the team’s defensive strength and emphasized the need for improvement in their attacking play as they prepare for the next round
Cameroon’s U20 girls team, popularly referred to as Lionesses have qualified for the Round of 16 in the U20 Women’s World Cup after defeating Australia 2-0 in their final group match.
Played on Friday at 11 PM CAT, Achta Toko Njoya opened the scoring for Cameroon in first-half stoppage time, with Naomi Eto’o adding a second goal in the 62nd minute.
Coach Hassan Balla entered this match knowing that a win was essential to avoid elimination from the tournament. The game began at a high tempo, with Australia creating an opportunity in the seventh minute that was thwarted by the offside flag. Cameroon quickly regrouped and pushed forward, but their attempt at an opening goal was also denied by an offside call against Camilla Daha.
Cathy Biya, the Lionesses’ goalkeeper, showcased her skills with a brilliant save against Kahli Johnson after a well-executed link-up involving Alicia Woods and Ella O’Grady.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Toko struck cleanly from a corner, sending the ball into the top corner of the net and denying Australia a chance at qualification. The second goal followed in the 62nd minute, courtesy of Captain Naomi Eto’o, who found the net just outside the penalty area, marking her third goal in three matches.
With this 2-0 victory, the Lionesses finished third in their group with four points, successfully qualifying for the Round of 16 in their first-ever participation in the tournament.
Coach Hassan Balla congratulated the team, praising their unity and resilience. “Congratulations to the girls; we played well and won. I am happy. We fell short against Colombia but bounced back today. It is not easy working under these conditions, as the weather is not favorable for us. The team worked as a unit, and I appreciate that,” he said.
He further commended the defense for maintaining a clean sheet, while acknowledging that the front line needed improvement. “We were solid at the back, but our attack did not deliver as expected. We have been working to enhance our offensive play. We created multiple chances but failed to convert. We will keep working and hopefully deliver better results.”
For scoring the first goal and her all round contribution, Toko was named Player of the Match. Captain Naomi Eto expressed her desire to perform even better in the upcoming matches. “I am happy; I gave everything. We knew the next goal was vital for our confidence. Today we scored two goals. I am not underestimating anyone, but if I have the opportunity to score more, I will. The key is to stay focused,” she stated.
Eto celebrated her third goal of the competition with a message: “Now the competition starts for Cameroon.”
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