Nigeria Players Abroad
Otu and Mbadi shine for Saint Etienne as Demehin scores own goal in Reims defeat
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
It was a case of mixed fortunes for Nigerian players when Saint Etienne welcomed Stade de Reims in the French women’s top-flight match on Saturday.
The hosts secured a 4-3 win with two Nigerian players finding the back of the net in an ambidextrous manner.
Cameroon’s Charlene Meyong scored the first goal of the game for Reims in the 32nd minute.
Eight minutes later, Amanda Mbadi equalised for Saint Etienne.
After the halftime break, the travelers restored their lead thanks to Noemie Mouchon in the 51st minute.
Reims had the chance to equalise once again from the penalty spot but Cindy Caputo’s spot kick was initially saved before she converted the rebound into the back of the net in the 69th minute.
For the third time in the game, the visitors took the lead again in the 77th minute from Anaele Le Moguedec’s goal.
In an unfortunate manner, the team in green equalised from Oluwatosin Demehin’s own goal five minutes before the end of the game.
With the game close to ending in a 3-3 draw, Saint Etienne had the last laugh as Phoenetia Browne scored the winning goal in the 86th minute.
Mbadi saw 89 minutes of action before she was replaced by Louann Archier after scoring her first league goal for Saint Etienne as her compatriots, Regina Otu played the duration of the match.
Reims Rofiat Imuran played 65 minutes and was substituted for Jade Nassi while Demehin played the full 90 minutes.
Reims occupy the fifth position on the table with 21 points after 15 games while Saint Etienne seats in the seventh position with 19 points.
The team in green will next travel to face Chiamaka Nnadozie’s Paris FC on March 2, 2024, after the women’s international break where the Super Falcons will face Cameroon in two-legged Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers.
Reims will also be on the road against Fleury 91 on the same March 2.
