Ifeoma Onumonu produced a moment that will live long in memories as Nigeria’s Super Falcons fell to a 2-1 defeat to France in a friendly match played at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers on Saturday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ranked 10th on the FIFA women’s rankings, France’s Les Bleues were always going to be a difficult opponent on home soil against an understrength Super Falcons.
The 2024 Nations League runners-up showed their might by scoring two quick-fire goals midway into the first half through Le Sommer and Amel Majri.
Despite missing the talents of captain Rasheedat Ajibade and reigning African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons were still a threat on the break.
The nine-time African champions finally got their breakthrough moments before the referee blew for halftime courtesy of Onumonu.
Nigeria countered after France failed to take advantage of the last corner-kick of the half, allowing Onumonu to race forward on a lung-bursting run from defence before smashing her finish past the goalkeeper.
That goal was the first ever that Nigeria would score against France, sending Montpellier forward Onumonu into the record books.
Both teams fought hard to add to the goals account in the second half but none could manage to get the better of the other as the Super Falcons matched the European giants on every part of the pitch.
German referee Riem Hussein later stole the show in the closing stages by brandishing three yellow cards at Nigerian players, two of which were shown to veteran defender Osinachi Ohale.
The resultant red card flashed at the 32-year-old centre-back was the first she will received in her 14 years of playing for Nigeria.
In the end, the Super Falcons succumbed to a fourth straight loss to France but head coach Justin Madugu would be pleased with the determination and fight shown by the Falcons in Angers.
Overall, in 2024, the Super Falcons played 10 games, won four, drew two and lost four matches.
It’s a record the former African champion will be keen to improve on if they want to reclaim their WAFCON crown from South Africa next year.