An under strength Nigerian team pulled off a shock1-0 win against a sloppy French side when the two sides met in this international friendly match.Nigerian celebrations ensued as Les Blues fell to defeatThe French manager, Raymond Domenech, has never been the post popular man in France and this result will do nothing to improve his already tarnished reputation. The French team he fielded contained a number of first team players, but they looked lethargic and tired for long periods of the match and failed to pre surise the Nigerians who looked comfortable throughout. Few expected a strong Nigerian team ahead of their crucial qualifier against Kenya but all of their players staked a claim for a first team place with this surprise victory.The only goal of the game came in the 32nd Artie Burns Jersey minute when Club Brugge striker Joseph Akpala took advantage of some poor French defending. A long pa s came from deep in the Nigerian midfield and Akpala collected the ball on the wing. He then commenced to show Julian Escude a clean set of heels before running into acres of space and firing a low, powerful shot into the corner of the net. Andy Dalton Jersey Domenech has previously stated the need for a solid French defense and you can imagine his agony when watching the goal as the French defenders let Akpala run and fire a shot in relative ease.Akpala celebrates after his well taken goalThe goal came as a great blow to Les Blues as, up to that point, they had looked the better of the two teams. Promising youngster Karim Benzema had fired over from 20 yards and then nearly found the net with a header from Franck Riberys freekick; fortunately for Nigeria Enyeama held on.After Akpalas opener,French number oneMandanda found himself the busier of the two keepers, being forced into action to deny bothPeter Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Cole Kmet Jersey Uche.Most probably anticipating the frosty French reception the next day if France lost, Domenech switched his team around at the interval but this failed to have the desired attack with Les Blues failing to find the equaliser, despite good chances for both Ribery and defender Rod Fanni. Loic Remy went closest, however, with a fierce drive that rattled the cro sbar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehdWqdL9z2gfeature=player_embedded Head to Heads#1. KARIM BENZEMA v. UWA ECHIEJILEWith Evertons Joseph Yobo absent, it was down to Uwa Echiejile to stop the young Lyon forward. Whilst the defender managed to keep the youngster from scoring, Benzema was allowed to roam the Nigerian final third freely, with Echiejile seemingly powerle s to resist his pace and power. If Benzema had put on his shooting boots, the Lyon man could have scored a hatful.THE WINNER: KARIM BENZEMA. Despite not scoring, Echiejile failed to stop Benzema seizing the ball and shooting. Benzema fired over Chicago Bears Kids Jersey in the 2oth minute and was able to direct a dangerous header towards goal in the 20th.#2. ROD FANNI v. PETER ODEMWINGIERod Fanni put in a solid performance and contributed well to the French attack when po sible. However Odemwingie looks to be a very promising player for the Nigerian national team and, when hes eventually paired with Obafemi Martins, Nigeria could have one of the best attacks in African football.WINNER: PETER ODEMWINGIE. The forward had some very good chances and looked lively throughout.#3. FRANCK RIBERY v.SEYI GEORGE OLOFINJANAOlofinjana was given the hard job of keeping Franck Ribery quiet, and on the whole he succeeded. Ribery managed to produce a few shots and cro ses but ultimately failed to dominate the game in his usual fashion. A disappointing night for the Munich man.WINNER: SEYIGEORGE OLOFINJANA. Controlling Ribery was more of a team effort, but Olofinjana still put in a good performance.#4. RAYMOND DOMENECH v. SHAIBU AMODUDomenech really should be worried by his sides poor performance. He fielded a strong side which fell to an under-strengh Nigerian team, but credit given where credits due- Amodus tactics were spot on. His team managed to keep both Ribery and Benzama quiet, whilst his teams attacking pace made Nigerian counter attacks very deadly.ConclusionMany will simply dismi s this a poor friendly showing, and hope that France put this defeat to the back of their minds. However, with their poor recent qualification showings, Domenech has admitted to the Marqui Christian Jersey pre s that he is feeling the pre sure and even confided in one friend that he was beginning to fear even the Faroe Islands. Expect a new French manager come the 2010 World Cup; that is, if France get there.