While the Super Falcons have been abandoned in Abuja, the team they beat in the final of the 2016 African Women’s Cup of Nations were hosted by their president.
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, host of the 2016 AWCON lost in the final 1-0 to the Super Falcons.
While the Super Falcons of Nigeria have been ignored by their Federal Government, Cameroon President Paul Biya and his wife Mrs Chantal Biya have invited the Indomitable Lionesses to a reception.
“The President Paul Biya and his wife Mrs Chantal Biya offer a reception in honour of the untamable lionesses, Vice-Champion of the can 2016 tomorrow, Thursday, 08 December 2016, at the palace of the unit,” Paul Biya’s office said in a statement.
Falcons’ Desire Oparanozie netted the winner for Nigeria in the 85th minute to beat Cameroon.
The Cameroonians dominated the opening minutes at the packed 40, 000 capacity Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
The Indomitable Lionesses dominated the game yet still lost to the Super Falcons
Fans’ favourite Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Michele Ngono Mani missed several goal scoring chances for Cameroon.
That lost is Cameroon’s third in the AWCON final-2004, 2014 and 2016.
The senior women’s national football team of Cameroon were hosted and honoured at the Unity Palace located in the Etoudi region of Yaounde, by President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya, on Thursday.
The Head of State, who is still in awe of the performance of the Indomitable Lionesses congratulated them on behalf of him and the entire country, for finishing second at the just concluded 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“You may not have won the final,” he said. “But you have managed to win our hearts and encourage our admiration.”
In front of committed fans that filled the stands of the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, the Lionesses ammassed four wins without conceding a goal.
They were only stopped in the final of the tournament when the defending Champions Nigeria defeated them 1-0 to retain their title on Saturday, December 3.
That not withstanding, Biya, one of the longest serving African presidents, lauded coach Enow Ngachu and his charges for a job well done.
In his words: “You obtained with panache, beautiful and important victories. By your talent, your courage, your commitment, and your eagerness to defend the colours of your country, you have wowed the nation as a whole.”
President Biya who further described them as a source of inspiration to other youths in the country, encouraged them to continue hoisting their country’s flag at their respective clubs, stating that “Cameroon is proud of you”.
Afterwards, team captain Christie Manie thanked the President and First Lady Chantal Biya, for their continuous support which would spur them to more glorious days.
The President did not fail to hail the organizing committee of the tournament for making sure of its success, assuring that they will raise the bar when the country hosts the men’s competition in 2019.
