Cameroon players celebrate their historic win over Mexico
Yokohama, Japan, September 29, 2018 - Cameroon’s Laetitia Crescence Moma Bassoko was top scorer as the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship burst into life in Yokohama on Saturday, helping her side to a first ever victory at the competition with a 3-1 win over Mexico.
Bassoko led the way with 21 points in this Pool A clash, but was ably assisted by Christelle Tchoudjang Nana and Stephanie Fotso Mogoung who contributed 15 and 10, respectively as the Cameroonians ended their run of 10 straight defeats at the World Championship
Mexico made Cameroon work for the win on the side’s first ever meeting at a world major level, with captain Andrea Rangel their key player and contributing 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid her side going down 25-17, 23-25, 16-25, and 21-25.
There was no sign of the surprise to come in the first set, and although Cameroon kept Mexico in their sights Ricardo Naranjo’s side established control after an ace by Rangel made it 15-12 before going on to wrap up the opener 25-17.
Cameroon came out a different side in the second set though, and seized their chance when 16-year-old wing spiker Melanie Parra was forced off with an injury for Mexico at 16-13 to Cameroon, going on to seal the set 25-23.
Akone Jean Rene Bekono’s side took that impetus into the third set when Bassoko started to find her groove, establishing a commanding nine-point lead at 23-14 and moving ahead in the game with a 25-16 win.
Mexico fought bravely in the fourth set but the momentum was with Cameroon, who saw off a late fight back to win 25-21 after an unstoppable spike by the game’s star Bassoko.
Next up, Cameroon will face Germany on Sunday while Mexico clash with Argentina on the same day.