Nigeria’s Super Falcons were defeated 2-1 by France’s Les Bleues in an international friendly match at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers, France, on Saturday night.
The Super Falcons were without several key players, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, and defender Olamide Demehin, leaving a gap in the squad.
France took control early in the match, with Eugénie Le Sommer opening the scoring in the 29th minute. Just eight minutes later, Amel Majri doubled the French lead, leaving the Super Falcons with a steep hill to climb.
However, Nigeria responded before halftime with a historic goal. Ifeoma Onumonu scored the first-ever goal for the Super Falcons against France, capitalising on a counter-attack. Onumonu sprinted from her half and finished past the French goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.
The second half saw a more balanced game, with both teams creating opportunities, but neither side could find the back of the net again. The match ended with a dramatic twist in the final stages as Osinachi Ohale received two yellow cards, resulting in her first-ever red card in her 14-year international career, adding a sour note to the defeat.
Despite the loss, the Super Falcons can take pride in their spirited performance. This defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss to France. With the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the horizon, Coach Madugu and his team will aim to learn from this experience and improve their form ahead of the competition.
As of 2024, the Super Falcons have played 10 matches, winning four, drawing two, and losing four. With their focus now turning to reclaiming their WAFCON crown, Nigeria’s women’s football team remains determined to bounce back stronger.
Following the match, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau shared words of encouragement for women’s football stakeholders and fans in Nigeria, reinforcing the commitment to building a stronger team for the future.
