Sport
Super Falcons Lose 2-1 to France in a Tough Friendly Match in Angers
The Super Falcons of Nigeria fell to a 2-1 defeat against Les Bleues of France in an intense friendly match held at Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers.
France initially appeared to take the lead early on when Marie-Antoinette Katoto found the net in the seventh minute, but her goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
The breakthrough eventually came just before the 30th minute when Eugenie Le Sommer, one of France’s most decorated players and all-time leading scorer, capitalized on a chance to put her team ahead.
Eight minutes later, France doubled their advantage as Amel Majri, the Tunisia-born midfielder known for her versatility, slotted the ball past Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Majri’s clinical finish showcased her attacking prowess and left Nigeria trailing by two goals.
However, the Super Falcons responded with resilience. In the final moments of the first half, Ifeoma Onumonu pulled one back for Nigeria with a brilliant chip over the French goalkeeper.
The goal, created from a swift counterattack, marked Nigeria’s first-ever strike against the French team, a historic moment despite the eventual loss.
The second half saw both teams creating chances but failing to convert them into goals.
Nigeria’s defense, led by Nnadozie, managed to hold off further attacks from the French side, while their forwards sought an equalizer that never came.
For the Super Falcons, this match served as an opportunity to test their strength against one of Europe’s top teams.
Despite the loss, their performance, particularly Onumonu’s goal, highlighted their potential to compete on the global stage.
France, coached by Laurent Bonadie, extended their dominance over Nigeria, reflecting the depth of talent in their squad.
Players like Le Sommer and Majri continue to be pivotal figures, showcasing why France remains a powerhouse in women’s football.
Former footballer Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s match following their loss to Atlético Madrid on October 13.
Speaking during a brief interview on CBS Sports, Henry criticised the practice of players or coaches expressing certain opinions through the media instead of addressing issues directly within the dressing room.
“I’m not a coach anymore, but I always say, whoever speaks like that, out. Keep that in the dressing room, it’s as simple as that,” Henry said on CBS Sports.
“That is the only way it can work. You have to say those things to a person’s face… going through the press, I am not really a fan of that.”
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, revealing that he hopes the winner will come from his team.
The manager spoke about how hard his players have worked and expressed his belief that they deserve the recognition.
“What I hope is that we win this trophy. We have players who deserve it.”
“Last year, we were the best team. We showed that it wasn’t just Ousmane Dembélé who deserved it.”
French football pundit Walid Acherchour has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sparking reactions among football fans.
Acherchour’s choice came as a surprise to some fans, who expected him to support fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé instead.
Speaking about his prediction, Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.
“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said, as quoted by Actu Foot. That start to the season shows that in fact, he was injured during the World Cup. He was the best player in La Liga, and he won the World Cup.
“Even if, for me, in fact, he doesn’t have the Ballon d’Or unanimously because his World Cup was average, even being average, he won it with Spain. He won La Liga with Barça.”
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