Midfielder Raissa Feudjio scored a late goal to power Cameroon to victory over South Africa in their Group B opener on Sunday at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.
Feudjio netted the winner on 88 minutes capitalizing on a blunder by South Africa goalie Roxanne Barker to seal the maximum points for ‘Les Lionnes’.
The first half was dominated by midfield action with just a handful of chances at goal as both teams deployed cautious approaches.
Banyana Banyana attacked from the onset but it was ‘Les Lionnes’ of Cameroon who showed real intent at scoring.
On seven minutes, Gabrielle Aboudi struck a long range shot that slipped through the hands of South African goalie Barker. Minutes later, Deborah Enganamouit made several runs at her markers but found the pair of Janine Van Wyk and Noko Matlou a mountain too tall to climb.
0he best chance of the half fell to Matlou on 13 minutes but her half volley kissed the post to the relief of the Cameroonians.
After a barren first half, the South Africans resumed more purposeful taking charge of possession whilst the Cameroonians attacked on the break.
In the early minutes of the half, Amanda Dlamini and veteran Portia Modise mounted pressure on the Cameroon backline in search of the breakthrough.
But they had to survive some scary moments anytime ‘Les Lionnes’ forayed into their half. On 67 minutes, Estelle Zouga missed target from close range before Barker scored full marks in the 74thminute by denying Aboudi on a one-on-one situation, which unarguably was the best chance that came the way of the Cameroonians at that time.
Two minutes from time, Barker turned villain as she spilled a corner-kick that Raissa Feudjio slammed home for the only goal of the match.
TN Mobile Woman of the Match
6. Mamello Makhabane