They are to play against Egypt on Saturday.

The national U-17 female football selection left the country yesterday for Cairo-Egypt where they are supposed to play against Egypt in the return leg qualifiers for the 2016 World cup in that category to take place in Jordan.  Out of the 24 players who went into camp on March 13th, the coach, Minkreo Birwé shortlisted 20 for the Egyptian expedition. Prior to the departure, the Lionesses received the national technical director number one, Manga Onguene who came to urge the players to victory.

In the away leg a fortnight ago in Douala, Cameroon beat Egypt 2-1 and will therefore need a simple draw of victory to sail through. Before their departure, the U-17 Lionesses played a friendly match against a newly promoted division one club, Eclair of Sa’a, trouncing them 3-0. In an earlier warm up match against the military national team, the Lions bowed 0-2. Cameroon will be counting on goal merchants like Mpeh Bessong, Ngah Manga and Flore Kameni.

According to the coach, Minkreo Birwe, the difference in the encounter with Egypt will be at the level of the mentality, tactical discipline and concentration. He said they didn’t want to fall in the same trap they fell into in the match against Ethiopia. “Our intention in the away leg was to lead with a wide margin since we know it means playing a return leg match out of the country. The encounter against Ethiopia taught us a lesson. We didn’t want to relive this but that was not the case. We are working to make sure it doesn’t happen again. To make the difference in Cairo, we have to make a difference at least in defending so as to preserve what we have achieved,” he said. In case of victory or a draw, Cameroon will qualify for the World Cup in that category to take place in Jordan later in the year.