International Football - Nigeria stun France in friendly

Eurosport - Tue, 02 Jun 22:50:00 2009

France coach Raymond Domenech suffered another blow to his authority as Nigeria beat France 1-0 in an international friendly in St Etienne.

FOOTBALL Nigeria celebrate their winner against France - 0

Joseph Akpala scored the only goal of the game, the 22-year-old Club Brugge striker scoring in the 32nd minute after Ikechukwu Uche's shot had come off the bar and hit French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda's heel.

The crowd reacted furiously to the goal and started jeering and booing the French side, who had welcomed back from the international wilderness captain Patrick Vieira and Chelsea's Florent Malouda.

However, neither shone with Vieira especially static in midfield on what was a sad 107th appearance for the former Arsenal star.

The hosts failed to rouse their supporters and it took fully an hour for them to even summon up 'Allez les Bleus' (Come on the Blues) as with the exception of Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka few of the other players shone.

Debutant Loic Remy went closest to levelling the match as the Nice striker's shot hit the post two minutes from the end.

Domenech was never going to be warmly received in St Etienne as he used to play for their bitter historical rivals Lyon.

Indeed when their names were announced over the public address system Domenech and present and past players of Lyon were greeted with jeers and boos from the spectators - and interest in the national side has slid so much that the ground was only two thirds full.

However, there was a better sense of decorum as the crowd fell silent for a minute's silence out of respect for the 228 passengers and crew of the Air France flight that disappeared on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on Monday.

France play a second friendly against Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey on Friday.

AFP

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. I luv the eagles u­ roke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­ !!!

    From Lovebird, on Wed 24 Jun 8:21PM

  2. let us leave Amodu shuaibu alone. the most celebrated­ Egyptian coach today has been coaching the Egyptian­ national team for years, and most of the boys he had­ been parading are all home base player.we should­ remember that Rome was not bilt in a day.Any where he­ needs assistance let us help him. we should remember­ that we have hired the best expatriate for the country­ and we have fired them, because we belived they did not­ perform.thank you. from fagbuyi bode

    From fagbuyi, on Fri 19 Jun 5:29PM

  3. well............................

    From Leinge, on Mon 8 Jun 12:47PM

  4. how the hell did Nigeria win against France? France is­ supposed to be one of the best teams in the world.­ zidane your country needs you again

    From zakir, on Fri 5 Jun 7:03PM

  5. What a one-sided write-up? the match was played between­ the undisputed Super-Great Eagles of Nigeria and the­ French National Team.The reporter talked about Nigeria­ and the goal only in one paragraph, and used the whole­ page to talk about the French Team, What a junk­ journalism!The super Eagles played as talented players­ not as a team.Perharps, Nigeria need a technical bench­ that will not dissapoint us in South Africa.The right­ time is now.Let us throw sentiments away and agree to­ the fact that Amodu Shuaibu is not the right man for a­ sophisticated team with sophisticated players like the­ Eagles.He is there on a political appointment not on­ merit.To avoid the same kind of disgrace we had from­ his brother Ladan Boso,we should start now to cry­ fowl.All the matches played and worn by the Eagles­ cannot be accredited to Amodu in any way.With or­ without any technical bench, the Eagles would have come­ up with the same result.We are a great footballing­ Nation we need to keep it up.

    From Uzoma, on Thu 4 Jun 5:20PM

  6. super eagles you are th bomb.....proudly­ Nigerian...lol!!!

    From xtian, on Thu 4 Jun 11:14AM

  7. Go on super super Eagles the sky is your limit...keep­ up the good work.

    From xtian, on Thu 4 Jun 11:11AM

  8. i wonder wot makes a lot of u guys mad about football­ mishaps. This is not the Ist time such upset is­ cooming the french way. Senegal did it in 2002 whats­ really new abt the french. Nigeria should keep its ­ team tight to prevent loss of momentum.

    From chuks2end, on Wed 3 Jun 10:55PM

  9. i wonder wot makes a lot of u guys mad about football­ mishaps. This is not the Ist time such upset is­ cooming the french way. Senegal did it in 2002 whats­ really new abt the french. Nigeria should keep its ­ team tight to prevent loss of momentum.

    From chuks2end, on Wed 3 Jun 10:55PM

  10. Go Go Go Super Eagles Of Nigeria. Please finish the­ rest job and qlfy for World Mundial in South Africa. I­ Love Nigeria and proud to be a nigerian.

    From Frank, on Wed 3 Jun 12:29AM

  11. Get down Get down...you french frogs get down

    From Joe Y, on Tue 2 Jun 11:51PM

  12. Forza Nigezie... we too much oooh...

    From Kevee?1, on Tue 2 Jun 10:56PM

  13. They will probably not build on it, they will put their­ regular 11 who cannot be bothered to play for Nigeria­ and who are only interested in collecting their wage­ packet from their clubs.

    These guys were hungry and it­ showed with the win!

    But France were poor! but it was­ no fluke.

    Come on Nigeria!

    From Chizoba, on Tue 2 Jun 10:49PM

  14. For all it's worth.....CONGRATULATIONS­ NIGERIA............please please.....build on­ it
    France...................NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

    From koladipupo A, on Tue 2 Jun 10:37PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Big Fluke????

    From andy, on Tue 2 Jun 10:29PM

  16. Domenech. What a dumbA$$. France have absolutely no­ creativity in attack. They need Nasri in midfield to­ work with Gourcuff or the wing crossing balls into the­ box.

    Domenech seems to still be determined to ignore­ French players who have gone to Serie A or the EPL

    Get­ a clue DumbA$$

    From tom h, on Tue 2 Jun 10:29PM
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