Who is Gabrielle Onguene? The free-scoring Cameroon striker that can pose a threat to Super Falcons

The stage is set, the tension palpable. In a clash that promises to be explosive, the Super Falcons of Nigeria lock horns with their arch-rivals, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, in a highly anticipated 2024 Olympic third-round qualifier.

While both teams boast an arsenal of talent, there's one name that potentially poses a threat to the Falcons defence: Gabrielle Onguéné, the electrifying Cameroonian forward.

Onguéné is no ordinary footballer. With a career spanning over a decade, she's etched her name in African football history,  collecting an impressive trophy cabinet along the way.

But it's not just the numbers that define her. Her pace, skill, and predatory instincts on the field weave magic, leaving defenders bewildered and goalkeepers despairing.

Her story began on the dusty pitches of Douala, where a young Onguéné honed her skills, her dreams as boundless as her talent.

Scouted at the tender age of 15, she embarked on a remarkable journey, gracing the fields of her country before heading to Russia, leaving a trail of goals and accolades in her wake.

She has represented Cameroon since 2008 and has become a national heroine, leading the Lionesses to gold at the 2011 All-Africa Games, scoring the game winning goal in the semifinals against South Africa's Banyana Banyana.

She went on to feature for her country at the London 2012 Olympics, scoring their only goal of the tournament. At the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, she received the woman of the match award in her team's 2-1 win over Switzerland, netting the equaliser and ultimately inspiring her team to a win.

Furthermore, she was voted best player at the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and has been consecutively nominated for the CAF Women's player of the year award four times.

Onguéné's track records clearly shows that she is a big game player and the Super Falcons defense clearly have their work cut out for them in terms of curtailing the CSKA Moscow markswoman.

Her predatory instincts will be on full display as she seeks to breach the Super Falcons' resolute defense as seen at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The battle between Onguéné and the Falcons' backline promises to be a captivating duel, a clash of wills that could decide the fate of the tie.

Will the 34-year-old CSKA Moscow star roar past the Super Falcons and propel Cameroon a step to Olympic qualification?

Or will the 9-time African Queens rise to the challenge and tame the Cameroonian threat?

One thing's for sure: this isn't just a football match; it's a battle for dominance, a clash of titans, and Gabrielle Onguéné will be at the heart of it all.

Ejim Kaycee

Photo Credit: Fecafoot

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