This situation really highlights the challenges facing women’s football in Cameroon right now. The suspension of the domestic women’s championship for three months is a big blow, especially so close to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Namibia this October. Coach Enow Ngachu’s concerns are very valid—without regular competitive matches, it’s hard for local players to maintain form and improve.
It’s smart that he’s leaning on the many players based abroad to build the team’s backbone, but relying too heavily on foreign-based pros isn’t a long-term solution. As Ngachu points out, with Cameroon set to host the African Cup of Nations in 2016, it’s crucial to develop local talent now and ensure the domestic championship is up and running consistently.
Restarting the championship soon and strengthening the local league will be key for the Indomitable Lionesses to be competitive in future tournaments and to build a strong foundation for the future. What do you think the federation could do to help speed up the league’s resumption?
