2016 Olympic Qualifiers: Lionesses one step to Rio

The Lionesses have taken a good option towards qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games to take place in Rio de Janeiro. The Lionesses beat their Zimbabwean counterparts 2-1 in the away leg last round qualifiers on Saturday, October 3rd at the Mfandena sports complex in Yaounde.

Whereas victory was not easy to come by for the Lionesses as they conceded a goal as early as the 6th minute through a misunderstanding between the goalkeeper and last defender. However, the goal turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they Lionesses stepped up their game from thence and took ascendancy.

Upon resumption for the second half, Cameroon picked up from where they had left it completing dominating play. The equalizer came at the 69th minute through a powerful header from the all-time best goal scorer of the feminine football national selection, Ngono Mani, who a few minutes later would have found the back of the net again with the head, had it not been for the timely intervention of the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Dzingirai Chiao.

The salvation goal came 81st minute again through Ngono Mani who stylishly connected the ball with the heel into the goalpost to make it two for Cameroon. Cameroon created several opportunities after but each time failed to concretise them.

The return leg will take place in Harare on October 17th and a simple victory or draw will be enough to enable Cameroon qualify for the second consecutive time for the Olympic Games after that of London 2012.

Though the Lionesses will be playing on away soil, they now have the advantage that they know the play style of the Zimbabweans and have a strong mental state of mind.