ACTUALITE |
09.09.2005
CAN Volleyball: Timid Start for Cameroon
The Indomitable Lionesses lost to Tunisia 2-3 sets in their first match in the African Cup of Nations in Abuja.
It was a gloomy evening for the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon yesterday in Abuja as they lost their first match against Tunisia 2-3 sets (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 27-25, 14-16) in the ongoing 15th edition of the African Cup of Nations, Women competition. The defeat came as a surprise to the Cameroonians who were confident of an imminent victory since they had always defeated the Tunisians in similar competitions. To the Tunisians, the defeat was revenge after they lost to the Lionesses of Cameroon in the Mauritius Island during the World Cup qualifiers last April.
It was however a balanced encounter with both sides determined to win. Cameroon opened scores in the first minute with the attacking trio of Ambatta Carole, Mesina Ondoa, Ngo Nkot Rebecca, etc, and scored eight points in the first four minutes. Their performance won the hearts of fans and supporters. The Tunisians put up a strong fight in the second set and surprised the Cameroonians, winning the set 25-22. The Cameroon however came into the third and fourth set much stronger wining (25-14) and (27-25) leading to the tie breaking set. But the Cameroonians made some fatal errors which gave the Tunisians an edge over them. The Tunisians won the fifth set (16-16). The Cameroonian team looked composed but they lacked a strong back court reception. Their own errors led to their doom.
According to the captain, the competition will be a difficult one but they will do their best to reach the final. According to the coach, Yende Lavoisier, the competition is still in the beginning and all is not lost for now. He said the major objective is to reach the second phase of the competition. "What is left now is to correct the errors in the first match and improve in the remaining pool matches", he said.
Cameroon is playing in the competition with an incomplete team. Only 11 out of 12 players invited are present in Abuja. Out of four professionals expected, only two arrived in Abuja on the eve of the competition. Cameroon will play their second match against hosts, Nigeria today at 5:00pm. In pool B, Kenya will play against Egypt.
Cameroon will play their last pool match against Botswana tomorrow at 3:30pm. In the first pool match played, Egypt beat Cote d’Ivoire 3-0 sets. In the last pool match between Kenya and Morocco Kenya beat Morroco 3-0 sets.
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