U17 coach Joseph Atangana insists his side still have a good chance of qualifying ahead of Ghana despite suffering a surprise first leg defeat.

The Junior Indomitable Lions were handed a painful 2-1 defeat by the Black Starlets in the first leg of their qualifying tie for 2015 Africa U17 Championships.

Ernest Agyiri and Abass Issah scored both goals in the first half to give coach Paa Kwesi Fabin’s side in a comfortable lead before the hosts got one back.

The win puts Ghana in a strong position to progress in the qualifiers with the return encounter set to take place in Accra.

But Cameroon coach Joseph Atangana remains defiant of his team’s fragile chances to pull a fast one over Ghana.

“I told you we had 13 days of preparation, now we will continue to work and inevitably there will be a gain athletically and technical tactics,” he said.

“I think the boys have a lot of will. We will give everything for the return match in Accra.

“I do not necessarily think we should let it be said that we have lost. Nothing is lost.

“We are Lions. We will continue to work. We will strengthen the team.

“It’s true that when you see the Ghanaian team play, psychologically it is above us, athletically it was above us.

“We saw them play and they beat us at home. I think there will be a little devolution to their level and we will take the opportunity to get a result.”