French coach Laurent Boandei not under rating Super Falcons

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of the French senior women’s national team, Laurent Boandei is prepared not to underrate Nigeria’s counterparts when both sides trade tackles in a high-profile friendly match in Angers, France on Saturday.

Le Bleues has had a good head-to-head record over the Super Falcons with victories in previous meetings but the last encounter at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup where the host secured a 1-0 win thanks to Wendie Renard’s penalty set up a close contest ahead of this clash.

The game also serves as an acid test for the coach of nine-time African champions, Justine Madugu who has never lost any match in charge of the team as Interim coach when Randy Waldrum was negotiating contract renewal, a course for worry for Boandei.

“Nigeria were at the Olympics, where Spain only won 1-0 against them, but also at the World Cup, where they lost in the round of 16 against England, 0-0, 2-4 on penalties. They are a solid team, with powerful and fast players.,” Bonadei told L’Equipe.

“It is a tough team block to maneuver. We will have to attack them while being vigilant on transitions. We must take advantage of their imbalances, also, on counter-pressing.”

Midfielder Sandie Toletti, also added: “I’ve played alongside players in Spain. It will be a fight; they are very physical. They play in the biggest European clubs or in the United States. It will be tough.”

As Le Bleues is using the game to prepare for next year’s UEFA Women’s Euros and Nations League, the Super Falcons are preparing for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco next year.

Madugu’s side will face Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B in their bid to reclaim the WAFCON title won by South Africa in 2022 in Morocco.