Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time African champions, have begun arriving in Angers, France, ahead of Saturday’s eagerly awaited international friendly against Les Bleues, Soccernet.ng report.
Players and officials touched down on Wednesday morning as preparations intensify for the high-profile encounter.
This meeting between France and Nigeria in Angers is the second time the two teams will face off in a friendly.
The first meeting in April 2018 ended in disappointment for the Falcons, who suffered an 8-0 loss in freezing conditions at Stade Marie-Marvingt in Le Mans.
Among the key events of that match were a hat-trick from Valérie Gauvin and an own goal by Faith Ikidi-Michael.
Only goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, now playing in France, and Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale remain from that squad.
Despite that setback, competitive meetings between the two nations have been much closer. In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Falcons narrowly lost by a single goal in both 2011 (in Germany) and 2019 (at Roazhon Park, France).
This friendly is part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Falcons will aim to reclaim their continental crown from reigning champion, South Africa.
The former African champions claimed two wins against Algeria in November and just days ago learned their Women’s AFCON group stage opponents — Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 9:30 pm local time, the same as in Nigeria. With the team keen to erase the memory of their last outing against Les Bleues, this game promises to be a crucial test for the emerging Super Falcons.
Super Falcons Squad For France:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)
Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens)