The Super Falcons put up a battling display but lost 2-1 to Les Bleues in an international friendly at the Raymond Kopa Stadium in Angers on Saturday night.
Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu called up a plethora of foreign-based players who missed the last international window against Algeria, but it was not enough to cage the Europeans.
France started as the better of the two sides, peppering the Nigerian goal from the onset.
They thought they had taken the lead when Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored in the 9th minute, but it was ruled offside.
In the 29th minute, France’s dominance paid off when Eugénie Le Sommer put the home team ahead from a Marie-Antoinette Katoto cross.
The Super Falcons struggled to get into the game and did not seem able to put a foot right as the French onslaught continued.
Amel Majri then made it 2-0 for the French in the 37th minute as they looked to run the Nigerians ragged.
Historic goal for Ifeoma Onumonu
Just before half-time, Nigeria pulled one back through a swift counterattack. Gift Monday fed Ifeoma Onumonu, who scored for the Falcons.
It was Nigeria’s first-ever goal against the French at this level.
There were no further goals in the second half, although Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe both had chances to level the score for Nigeria but fluffed their opportunities.
France ended the game looking like the side most likely to score, but Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie pulled off two crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable, earning France their third straight win over Nigeria.
Nigeria Line-up:
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Michelle Alozie (Shukurat Oladipo), Rofiat Imuran, Toni Payne (Mercy Omokwo), Christy Ucheibe, Gift Monday (Rinsola Babajide), Blessing Nkor (Sikiratu Isah), Jennifer Echegini (Yina Adoo) (Josephine Mathias), Ifeoma Onumonu
