
Cameroon made a memorable debut at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, holding Mexico to a 2-2 draw in their Group A opener in Colombia all thanks to Naomi Eto.
The Indomitable Lionesses, inspired by a brace from Eto, showcased resilience and determination at the Estadio Nemesio Camacho in Bogota.
The match began on a challenging note for Cameroon as Mexico’s Paola Garcia scored within three minutes, putting the African side on the defensive. Despite near-misses from Atcha Toko Njoya and Eto, Cameroon struggled further as Montserrat Saldivar added a second goal for Mexico before halftime.
However, the second half saw a revitalized Cameroonian team. Eto emerged as the driving force behind their comeback, scoring her first goal with a calm and skillful finish past the Mexican goalkeeper.
With just minutes remaining, Eto secured the equalizer in the 85th minute, heading the ball into the net. Her heroics not only earned Cameroon a valuable point but also established her as a rising star in African football, earning her the Player of the Match award.
This draw is a historic achievement for Cameroon, signaling their competitive edge in the tournament. It also ended Mexico’s winning streak in opening matches, highlighting the strength of the Cameroonian squad.
Next, the Indomitable Lionesses will face hosts Colombia in their second group stage match, aiming to build on their promising start.