adminVANCOUVER. — Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu blamed lack of funding and preparation as the last African nation competing in the Women’s World Cup soccer finals were dumped out of the tournament on Saturday.
Wang Shanshan’s 12th minute goal put 1999 runners-up China into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over surprise newcomers Cameroon.
“It’s a bad day for the Cameroon national side. We came up against a very good team,” said Lionesses’ coach Ngachu after the game in Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
The central African side had been just the second nation from the continent to make it out of the group stages at the World Cup after Nigeria in 1999.
Cameroon lost to reigning champions Japan 1-0 in their group matches but achieved their first wins against Ecuador 6-0 and Switzerland 2-1.
But despite creating surprises the 53rd-ranked side join already eliminated African champions Nigeria, ranked 33, and 67th-ranked Ivory Coast on their way home.
“We need to develop women’s football in Africa.
“We need good organisation, we also need to create as many clubs as possible. If we could have sponsorship it would be good,” said Ngachu.
“We have talented players. The problem African nations face is preparation.
“The day we are prepared well an African nation will be able to win the World Cup.
“We hope that with this performance many things will change not just in Cameroon but in Africa.” — AFP.
Online Reporter