Super Falcons Of Nigeria Players Start Arriving In Angers For France

Players and officials of Nigeria’s Super Falcons have started arriving in the city of Angers, France, as they gear up for a friendly match against France’s national team, Les Bleues.

The Super Falcons and Les Bleues friendly game promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim to use the encounter to prepare for upcoming tournaments.

Super Falcons’ interim head coach Justine Madugu has invited a squad of 20 players, comprising a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent to take on the European side.

The match is set to take place at the Stade Raymond Kopa, a modern stadium known for its electric atmosphere, on Saturday night. Kickoff is slated for 9:30 PM Nigerian time, making it a prime opportunity for fans to tune in and support the team.

This match will mark the fourth official meeting between Nigeria and France in women’s football.

Historically, the Super Falcons have faced tough competition from the French team. In a memorable encounter during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Germany, France narrowly defeated Nigeria with a scoreline of 1-0 in the group stage.

Following that, in April 2018, the Super Falcons suffered a heavy loss, as they were overwhelmed 8-0 by France in a friendly match held at Le Mans’ Stade Marie Marvingt.

The teams met again in the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by France, where the Super Falcons faced another daunting challenge, losing 8-0 once more at Roazhon Park.

This pattern of previous encounters highlights the competitiveness and skill gap that Nigeria aims to bridge as they prepare for future tournaments.

The friendly against Les Bleues serves as a crucial part of the Super Falcons’ preparation for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

On the other hand, the French side are utilizing this match as part of their preparation for the upcoming League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship in Switzerland.