Women's World Cup play-offs: Senegal well beaten, Cameroon close to qualifying

Senegal's women's national team will not be going to the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (20 July-20 August). The Lionesses of Teranga were given a football lesson by Haiti in the early hours of Saturday morning in the Women's World Cup play-offs. They were heavily beaten by the Haitians (4-0) and are out.

Seemingly gripped by the occasion, Mame Moussa Cissé's side were well off the pace against a Haiti team who could hardly have asked for more. After resisting the opposition's attacks as best they could, they cracked late in the first half from a corner (1-0).

The second half was a complete collapse for the Lionesses. With a defence under siege, the goals rained in against Tenning Sène. Nérilia Mondésir (54th), then Roselord Borgella (64th and 65th) made it 4-0 and ended the Senegalese side's hopes for good.

Cameroon turn to Gabrielle Onguene

Unlike Senegal, who were knocked out by Haiti (4-0) in the early hours of Saturday morning, Cameroon delivered in their first match of the 2023 Women's World Cup play-offs for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. The Indomitable Lionesses beat Thailand (2-0) on Saturday 18 February, and can keep dreaming of qualification. They will face Portugal in a final match to try to join Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Nigeria, who have already qualified.

It was not an easy job. Against a Thailand side who were solid if not brilliant, the Cameroonians had to battle right to the end to win. It took until the 79th minute for the game to open up, with a goal from Gabrielle Onguene (33). Introduced 5 minutes earlier, the CSKA Moscow forward added a second in the 82nd minute. Cameroon will face Portugal in their next and final play-off match.