France's Karim Benzema celebrates with his team-mates (©uefa.com)Striking duo undo Nigeria
Tuesday, 8 February 2005
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PrintBy Andrew Haslam at Mukan Perinçek stadium
Goals at either end of the match from forwards Jérémy Menez and Karim Benzema earned France a third successive win in the 2005 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup against a determined Nigeria side in Aydin.
Even contest
Menez scored his fourth goal of the competition in the ninth minute, converting a penalty after Franck Songo'o had been fouled. Nigeria nevertheless produced a spirited challenge against the European Under-17 champions, whose victory was assured only in the 81st minute when Benzema curled in an impressive second.
Early danger
France coach Philippe Bergeroo reverted to the side that had defeated Cameroon 7-0 in their opening match while his Nigerian counterpart Godwin Izilein brought in Edafe Uzeh, Nazifi Ammani Inuwa and Salihu Mohammed. Both teams created early chances, Bello Musa Kofarmata testing French goalkeeper Benoît Costil straight from the kick-off while Benzema also threatened.
Penalty opener
It was France who struck first, however. Benzema and Menez combined to find Songo'o advancing into the penalty area only for the midfield player's run to be illegally halted by Austine Osaretin Festus. Menez clinically placed the spot-kick to the left of goalkeeper Okemute Odah.
Kofarmata trickery
Nigeria refused to be downhearted, however, and might have been level within three minutes. Kofarmata burst past Sandy Paillot and beat Costil to the ball inside the penalty area, but Oluseyi Olusegun blazed his low cross over the unguarded net. Kofarmata was at the heart of Nigeria's best moves, but it was Olusegun who came closest to levelling, drawing a fine stop from Costil shortly before half-time.
Odah barrier
Menez's clever turn created space in the Nigerian area shortly afterwards, but Odah palmed away his shot. The Nigerian goalkeeper was called upon again five minutes after the restart, touching Benzema's effort on to the post after the French forward had exchanged passes with Menez. Kofarmata and Menez then both shot well wide as the two sides struggled for superiority, although Benzema forced Odah into action again after an incisive move involving Serge Gakpe and Paillot.
Curling strike
The French striker finally sealed his side's win with nine minutes remaining, cutting in from the left and curling his shot across Odah and into the corner of the net. Nigeria might have mustered a late response, but Tochukwu Linus flicked Inuwa's cross wide. The African side end the tournament against Spain on Friday, when France take on Egypt.
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