African Power: Cameroun thrash Ecuador 6-0

Cameroon

Cameroon

Cameroon on Monday restored some pride for Africa when it defeated Ecuador 6-0 in the battle of debutants in Vancouver, Canada at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

As if they were on a revenge mission after Cote d’Ivoire went down 10-0 to Germany on Sunday in Group B, the Cameroonians, helped by a three-goal virtuoso display from Gaelle Enganamouit, made minced meat of Ecuador.

Enganamouit – celebrating her birthday – had a hand in all the goals as the West Africans enjoyed a perfect opening to their FIFA Women’s World Cup odyssey.

After a low-key opening half-hour, Enganamouit started a move which resulted in a goal for Madeleine Ngono Mani.

Just two minutes later, Enganamouit received a long ball forward and beat goalkeeper Berruz with a low shot on her left

Ecuador almost responded in kind with a rare chance via an Ambar Torres free-kick, but it was the Africans who extended their lead before the break as Kerlly Real committed a foul in the penalty area and captain Christine Manie scored from the spot.

Little changed after the interval with Cameroon remaining stronger, quicker, and better organised.

The yellow-haired Enganamouit then brought about a red card for Ecuador captain Ligia Moreira, following a last-defender foul midway through the second period.

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It was little surprise when the same player scored again following a neat pass from Gabrielle Onguene.

Another penalty was awarded following a handball from substitute Katherine Ortiz and duly scored by Onguene, before a third spot-kick scored in injury time by the heroine of the day, Enganamouit.

In his reaction, Enow Ngachu, the Cameroon coach, said: “we scored six goals in our first-ever Women’s World Cup match – it couldn’t really have gone any better.

“We’re quite happy, because we’ve made history today. In our next match against Japan, things will be very different, because they’re the best team in the world.

“When we heard that our first game would be played on June 8, we were pleased, because that was the date of our men’s team’s famous win over Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup.

“And so we’ve ended up beating Ecuador on the same day. We’re here to learn, and we want to make Africa proud.”

Ecuador coach Vanessa Arauz, lamented “We did well at the start, but once we went behind, we lost our focus a bit, and Cameroon capitalised on that. We knew that they had really pacey players.

“In Ecuador, women’s players are almost all completely amateur, although women’s teams have been around for a long time. We are still developing gradually, and we hope that more football academies will be established in the future. The idea is to create professionals who can not only play for us, but also play abroad.”

Earlier, Nigeria – Africa’s third representative at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, drew 3-3 with Sweden in a Group D match.

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