Defender Ntim red carded under one minute

Ghana youth defender Emmanuel Ntim was sent off under the first minute of kick-off of Valenciennes's 2-0 defeat at Nimes in the French Ligue 2 on Friday night.

The 20-year-old lateral defender had to take an early shower after referee Stephanie Frappart showed him a straight red card for applying a harsh tackle on 36-year-old Toifilou Maoulida who had broken through and was on course to scoring.

Valenciennes remained strong and solid at the Costieres Stadium despite Ntim's early sending off but conceded two goals in the second-half to lose the tie.

Ntim, a member of Ghana's U20 squad at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup, has played ten games for the Red and Whites but will miss both of their upcoming league games against Clermont and Ajaccio.

The enterprising defender joined Valenciennes three seasons ago as a 17-year-old from Ghanaian-based Right to Dream Academy but had to wait till the current season to get regular first team opportunity.