Incoming Washington Spirit midfielder Monique Ngock led Cameroon to its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations championship with a 3-0 win over Malawi in the final. Ngock also was named the Woman of the Competition as the tournament’s top player.
Ngock started five of Cameroon’s six matches and totaled 480 minutes in midfield. She also provided the assist on Cameroon’s first goal of the tournament.
Monique Ngock Helps Cameroon Complete Championship Run
Cameroon went undefeated in the group stage before defeating defending champion Nigeria in the quarterfinals and Morocco in the semifinals. The Indomitable Lionesses then secured the championship with their 3-0 victory over Malawi in the final.
Ngock became the fifth player in National Women’s Soccer League history to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She is the second player in Washington Spirit history to accomplish the feat, following Francisca Ordega’s championship with Nigeria in 2016.
Mélissa Bethi Helps Algeria Win Bronze
Incoming Washington Spirit player Mélissa Bethi also reached the podium at the tournament with Algeria. Algeria defeated host Morocco in a penalty shootout to secure the bronze medal.
Bethi started the third-place match and played all 120 minutes. Current Washington Spirit midfielder Deborah Abiodun also won the previous summer’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria while she was away from the Spirit on loan.
Washington Spirit Hosts Orlando Pride at Audi Field
The Washington Spirit is scheduled to play the Orlando Pride at Audi Field on Sunday, August 23, at 4 p.m. EDT. The match theme is “Love is Loud: Pride.”
Tickets are available through the Washington Spirit ticket page.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Monique Ngock’s championship and Woman of the Competition honor highlight her contribution to Cameroon’s title run. Her five starts, 480 minutes and assist on the team’s first tournament goal provide the clearest verified measures of her impact.
Mélissa Bethi’s bronze-medal finish and Deborah Abiodun’s previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations championship with Nigeria add further Washington Spirit connections to the tournament.
Source: Original report
