The joy and delight of debutants Togo were evident as they sunk to their knees in celebrating after earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cameroon in their second match at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Wednesday night.
Cameroon tried with all their might, but Togo were resilient and diligent and repelled all the attacking advances of the Indomitable Lionesses.
Cameroon now sit in trouble in third in group B and has still not recorded a victory in the tournament.
Cameroon made some eye-catching changes to their starting eleven as Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck and Michaela Abam were replaced by Catherine Charnelle Mbengono and Fadimatou Kome Aretouyap.
From the first minutes of play, the tactics of Kai Tomety, the coach of Togo, were clear. Each of her players acted as close guards on the ball carrier, in order to counter the offensive Cameroonians.
Cameroon attacked from the outset, but against the run of play in the 27th minute, Togo got a penalty, following a foul on Ange Gabrielle Bawou. Sabine Afi Woedikou made no mistake to take the lead 1-0.
The goal jolted Cameroon, who were more aggressive, and following a free-kick Estelle Johnson scored her first goal and the equalizer in the 37th minute. It was 1-1 at the break.
In the second half, the game was unproductive in terms of opportunity, but with no shortage of drama.
Much as they tried, though, Cameroon were unable to breach Togo, whose joy was palpable at the final whistle.
The next opponents of Togo are the Copper Queens of Zambia in Rabat, while Cameroon will face the Eagles of Carthage in Casablanca.
