While the Super Falcons have generally dominated the African space, they haven’t always been the greatest against foreign opposition and this was one again shown after they suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat at the hands of France.
The game was a friendly in preparation for their 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Montpellier forward Valerie Gauvin netted a hat-trick for France while Le Sommer, Thiney, Diallo and Leger scored once, and Ikidi turned one into her own net.
According to Goal.com this defeat represents the joint-largest for Nigeria women in their history, with the Falcons also having suffered 8-0 defeats at the hands of Norway at the 1995 Fifa Women’s World Cup and Germany in an international friendly in 2010.
It was also new coach Thomas Dennerby’s bow in the dugout.
The team was a highly experimental one with star striker Asisat Oshoala missing from the lineup as Denneby tried to get a feel for his new team.
France scored the first goal in the 19th minute through Eugenie Le Sommer and made it 2-0 in the 36th minute through Valerie Gauvin.
On the stroke of half-time, the Super Falcons were down 3-0 as Gaetane Thiney struck the third just before the break.
The Falconets were not without chances of their own with Oparanozie hitting the post, but there was little else to cheer about as Aminata Diallo extended their lead in the 60th minute before Gauvin grabbed her second goal in the 70th minute to give her side a 5-0 lead.
An own goal by Faith Ikidi. and a 92nd minute goal by Marie-Charlotte Leger rounded out the game.