The Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat in an international friendly against Les Bleues of France at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers on Saturday night, November 30.
The Super Falcon’s defeat to France on Saturday marked the fourth consecutive loss to the French side in their last four games in all competitions.
France started the friendly match intensely as they threatened to score just seven minutes in. Laurent Bonadie’s team appeared to have taken the lead early on, but Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s goal was disallowed, as it was deemed offside by the officials.
As the first half progressed, the French team found their rhythm and broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark.
Eugenie Claudine Le Sommer showcased her skill by slotting the ball into the net, giving Les Bleues a 1-0 advantage. Eight minutes later, the home team doubled their lead; Tunisia-born Amel Majri made a decisive run into the box and struck a powerful shot past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, bringing the score to 2-0.
However, the Super Falcons were determined to respond, and they did just that as the first half drew to a close. In a well-executed counterattack, Ifeoma Onumonu produced a moment of brilliance with a superb chip over the goalkeeper, scoring Nigeria’s first goal against the French side and narrowing the deficit to 2-1 right on the stroke of halftime.
Despite hopes for a strong comeback in the second half, neither team found the back of the net again, and the match ended with France maintaining their 2-1 lead.
