OGC Nice won 2-0 away at Angers on Saturday evening at the Stade Raymond-Kopa on Matchday 26 of Ligue 1. It was a crucial victory in the battle to avoid relegation, with Elye Wahi making a sensational return!

Of course, a victory is never down to one person alone. Obviously, the battle to avoid relegation is always a team effort. But this Saturday, OGC Nice owe a great deal to Elye Wahi. Back in action after a month out – less than the recovery time initially suggested for his sprained right ankle – the 23-year-old striker led Les Aiglons to victory in Anjou. Whilst his teammates were unable to break through the Angers defence, well-protected by the wall that is Hervé Koffi, Le Gym’s winter signing made a big impact when he came on at the Stade Raymond-Kopa.

Just three minutes after entering the pitch, the No. 11 burst down the right side of the box, showcasing his power and determination, before delivering a perfect cross to Melvin Bard, who was in the right place to meet it at the far post and open the scoring (0-1, 65'). An assist and a goal that brought relief to the Rouge et Noir, who had been solid in the first half but lacked precision in the final third.

A FANTASTIC GOAL, AN EVEN BETTER CELEBRATION

In full flow, Wahi didn't stop, keeping up the pressure with shots, defensive runs and aggressive pressing. His efforts were eventually rewarded – as was Le Gym’s commitment – when he secured victory for his teammates in the dying moments of stoppage time. Spotting Koffi advancing, the player on loan from Frankfurt delivered a beautiful long-range lob that gently nestled into the back of the Angers net (0-2, 90+6).

A magnificent finish to cap off a decisive performance, celebrated in the arms of Claude Puel and surrounded by all his teammates, in what may well go down as one of the finest moments of Nice’s end to the season.

This win– the first in six Ligue 1 matches – allows Nice to pull away from the relegation zone in the table. Currently 14th, Dante and his teammates are eight points clear of the play-off spot (Auxerre) and ten points clear of the first relegation spot (Nantes), pending the conclusion of Matchday 26. But beyond the points, the victory secured in Angers is just reward for the efforts put in by the Côte d’Azur side on Saturday evening. Tireless in their efforts, the Aiglons barely conceded a chance. SCO, who finished the match without a single shot on target, only looked threatening in the final minutes of the game, but neither Amine Sbaï (83’) nor Harouna Djibirin (90’+1) found the net despite two particularly dangerous attempts.

YOUSSOUF BACK

Lining up in a 3-5-2 formation that shifted to 5-4-1 in defence, Nice gradually got the better of their opponents, initially putting them under pressure with long-range shots. The problem was that Jonathan Clauss and his teammates repeatedly came up against an impenetrable Koffi, who produced an exceptional save from a free-kick from the Nice full-back that looked set to end up in the top corner (51'). Before the break, a crisp shot from Boudaoui met the same fate (45+2). When the SCO’s last line of defence once again denied Antoine Mendy (54'), it looked like the Aiglons were in for a tough night. But Elye Wahi had other ideas.

As good news never comes alone, Le Gym were delighted to see Youssouf Ndayishimiye back on the pitch in competitive action. Coming on as a substitute for Comman'Dante with ten minutes remaining, the Burundian international returned just as he had left more than ten months ago: solid, composed and reassuring. Qualities that coach Puel’s side will need as they continue the fight for survival and prepare to host the mighty Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday 21 March (9:05pm).

Hugo Rondet