International Friendly: Gusau, Sanusi, Falode To Support Super Falcons Against Les Bleues

International Friendly: Gusau, Sanusi, Falode To Support Super Falcons Against Les Bleues

 Ibrahim Lateef

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, along with the Chairman of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, Ms Aisha Falode, and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, will be in attendance to support the Super Falcons during Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France in Angers, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The match will take place at the Stade Raymond Kopa, which has a capacity of 18,000.The stadium is the home ground of Ligue 1 side Angers SCO.

Head coach Madugu and his team are scheduled to have their official training session at the match venue on Friday evening. Unfortunately, he has lost defender Oluwatosin Demehin, who plays in Turkey, due to injury.

The last encounter between these two teams occurred over five and a half years ago when the Super Falcons faced France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

In that match, the hosts narrowly won thanks to a penalty kick taken by Wendie Renard, which was retaken twice, ultimately resulting in a 1-0 victory for France.

Despite the loss, the Super Falcons advanced to the Round of 16 due to favourable results in other matches, while France topped their group with a perfect nine points from three games.

For Saturday evening's match, Coach Madugu must decide between England-based Rofiat Imuran and local player Sikiratu Isah to partner with veteran Osinachi Ohale in defence.

Michelle Alozie and returning player Ashley Plumptre are expected to take up the wing-back positions, while Madugu may also consider using Shukurat Oladipo in her usual centre-back role.

 In midfield, Portugal-based Christy Ucheibe, England-based Toni Payne, and France-based Jennifer Echegini (who scored Nigeria’s only goal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer) are available, alongside home-based professionals Adoo Yina and Josephine Mathias.

At the forward position, with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade absent due to injury, significant expectations will be placed on the Spain-based duo of Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide.

They will be joined by local talent Mercy Omokwo, Egypt-based Blessing Nkor, and France-based Ifeoma Onumonu.