Affectionately nicknamed “OG7”, the 37-year-old veteran forward shared her optimistic views in an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com ahead of the Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026. Having witnessed major transformations throughout her 16-year international career, Onguéné highlighted the expansion of youth recruitment and domestic leagues as core catalysts for this growth.
A Rising Continental Product
Onguéné noted that structural reforms engineered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have successfully democratized high-level competition.
- Expanded Formats: The milestone expansion of WAFCON to a 16-team tournament format directly reflects the rising competitive density of the continent.
- Emerging Powerhouses: Elite platforms are discovering entirely new national selections that, a decade ago, lacked the investment or capacity to qualify for high-level tournaments.
The Progress of Cameroon’s Local Championship
Closer to home, the Indomitable Lionesses’ captain praised the clear-cut technical upgrades within Cameroon’s domestic system. Seven players from the home-based local championship earned direct spots in the senior national team training camp, which she terms a massive structural victory.
Claiming a Deserved Global Spotlight
As new talents are discovered across the continent every single season, the CSKA Moscow forward is confident that women’s football is no longer an afterthought. With rising media engagement, improved scouting pipelines, and expanding professional leagues, Onguéné firmly believes the women’s game will soon occupy its fully deserved space at the center of the global sporting ecosystem.
