Hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Togo, Senegal and Zambia saw different results in their build-ups to this year’s TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations this week.
The 2022 WAFCON hosts bagged a huge win at home over Congo before the draw with Zambia as CAFOnline.com reviews the preparatory activities of some Morocco-bound teams during the week, from June 11 to 18.
MOROCCO
Morocco 7-0 Congo
Morocco 1-1 Zambia
Following back-to-back wins over Gambia and Ghana in April, the Atlas Lionesses continued their unbeaten preparatory streak against African sides, with a 7-0 thrashing of Congo on June 11. A brace from Salma Amani and Samya Hassani plus a goal each from Sabbah Seghir, Siham Boukhami and Sanaa Mssoudy ensured the Moroccans silenced the West Africans. A week later, Reynald Pedros’ side required Nesryne El Chad’s strike to gain the lead but the Tokyo 2020 Olympic debutants only needed to avoid defeat at the hands of North Africa.
CAMEROON & SENEGAL
Cameroon 2-2 Senegal
Cameroon 1-0 Senegal
The Indomitable Lionesses were held to a 2-2 draw by the WAFCON returning Senegalese in Yaounde in the first leg of the two-match series for the Morocco-bound teams on June 15. After a barren first half, Brigitte Omboudou opened the scoring for the hosts seven minutes into the second half before Hapsatou Diallo levelled matters in the 81st minute. The Senegalese stormed to a shock late lead in the 90th minute before Eliane Mambo Lambo ensured the Cameroonians avoid defeat at the death. Three days later, Gabriel Zabo’s side secured a nervy 1-0 win over Senegal courtesy of Kevine Ossol’s early strike at the Bepanda Omnisport Stadium.
Cameroon’s Gabriel Zabo said: “We approached today’s game differently from the previous game. We wanted to see all our qualities as it was a warm-up game. We opted for a direct approach today to see the other side of our team. We are keen on assembling a good group of players. Matches like this provide an opportunity to prepare the players mentally and tactically. We did that today, in the end, we will assemble a good squad for the AWCON.”
Senegal’s Mame Moussa Cisse said: “These two games were aimed at enhancing our preparations. There are so many lessons. I am satisfied with my team. We rotated the squad and have noted the potentials of most of our players.”
TOGO
Togo 0-3 Ampem Darkoa Ladies
The Ladies Sparrowhawks tasted defeat in their first warm-up match for the TotalEnergies Women’s Afcon after a 3-0 comprehensive beating from Ghanaian league champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies. Despite a barren first half, the season’s double winners and 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League hopefuls converted their dominance to lead when Elizabeth Owusua opened the scoring in the 75th minute. The latter went to double the advantage five minutes later and Constance Agyemang sealed the triumph.
WAFCON upcoming warm-up schedule:
*Senegal vs Guinea Bissau – 22 June,
*Morocco vs Côte d’Ivoire – 23 June,
*France vs Cameroon – 23 June,
*Tunisia vs Senegal – 28 June
Source: CAF