Enow Ngachu, Coach, Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, talks on the loss to Nigeria in the final of the 2016 Women's AFCON.

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What balance sheet do you have a far as the performances of the Lionesses are concerned in this competition?

I think we did not our objective of winning the cup. But we played very well and we are happy because more and more Cameroonians are interested today in female football. We shouldn’t forget that our main target is also is to educate these girls and make sure they end a living through football.

I am happy because today most of my players earn a living through football.  Concerning the statistics, we played five games and won four. We lost one against Nigeria during the final, conceded just one goal. I think it is the first time we have created another record in Africa. We just have to keep on working. I think that we have a team that can grab the trophy even in 2018.

What didn’t go on well with the team in the final?

We created many scoring chances but we could not concretise them. We played very well. The Nigerians as an experienced team had just one opportunity and they scored. That is football. We accept the results. It is too hard but we can’t do otherwise. I am satisfied with my players. They played very well. It is true that we did concretise our actions, but I am satisfied somehow. We regret because we wanted Cameroonians to jubilate with us at the end. Unfortunately, we could not win the match.

There was no particular problem with the players. They are the same players that were scoring goals and they are the same players that were playing very well. Anybody can say anything. Those are their opinions but as coaches we are satisfied with all the players. We have 21 players and we know they are very talented. They are the players who deserve to defend the colours of Cameroon. Nigeria did not even merit winning this cup looking at the game. We were not afraid of Nigeria. We watched them play some international competitions and we watched them play during the Nations’ Cup. We had a team that merited the trophy.

After the competition, what is the way forward for you and the Lionesses?

For me I need to get a rest. The players have to go back to their various clubs. They have league games. I just wish them good luck. In 2017 we will start the preliminary qualifiers for the Ghana Women AFCON 2018. In the meantime, it is too early to talk about that. I just need to have a rest. I hope 2018 will be better for the Lionesses to qualify for AFCON and the World Cup and grabbing the trophy. That is our wish by the grace of God.

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