March 16, 2023 at 3:49 p.m.
Brice Samba, goalkeeper of RC Lens and former SM Caen, is called up for the first time in his career in the France team, Thursday March 16.
With the international retirements of Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda following the World Cup final lost to Argentina in December 2022, two goalkeeper spots have become available in the France team cages . Brice Samba, former goalkeeper of SM Caen between 2017 and 2019, was able to seduce coach Didier Deschamps, who decided to call him Thursday March 16 for the next two matches of the Blues against the Netherlands on Friday March 24 and the Ireland on Monday March 27.
“Proud to have been called”
The Norman, who started football in the former Haute-Normandie and went through the training center of Le Havre AC, is this season one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1, in the blood and gold jersey of RC Lens. After leaving SM Caen in 2019, he joined England and the historic club of Nottingham Forest, before arriving in Pas-de-Calais in the summer of 2022. Franco-Congolese, he had been pre-summoned by Congo at the start of his career, in 2012, but refused this selection several times, with the hope of one day playing with the Blues.
“So proud to have been called up to join the France team. I really want to thank all the people who have believed in me over the years, and helped me achieve part of my dream today”reacted the 28-year-old goalkeeper on his social networks. “At Lens and at my previous clubs, coaches, staff, teammates, family and friends, but also all of you supporters. Thank you for giving me the strength to get this far.” His former club Stade Malherbe Caen also sent him their congratulations – to which the player responded.
The former Caennais is not leaving as an indisputable starter with the Blues against the very talented AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but could still have his chance. On the Norman side, Ousmane Dembélé, injured again, Ngolo Kanté, barely back after a long injury, or Steve Mandanda, retired international, are not on Didier Deschamps’ list.
