After a complete performance at the Stade de la Meinau and led by a brace from Elye Wahi, Les Aiglons knocked out Strasbourg to qualify for the Coupe de France final on Friday 22 May against RC Lens!

Impalpable, subtle, almost imperceptible… yet very real. The magic of the cup struck again on Wednesday night at the Stade de la Meinau. At the end of a difficult season, where disappointment has given way to frustration and concern, OGC Nice will return to the Stade de France to contest the final of France’s oldest competition. Courageous, united and efficient, just as they have been throughout their run, Claude Puel’s side pushed themselves to the limit to secure this precious ticket, four years after their last trip to Saint-Denis.

Wahi the hero…

Facing a Strasbourg side in strong form since spring, the Aiglons built on their solid collective display in Lille (Matchday 30, 0–0). Compact defensively, they perfectly contained the Alsatian pressure, conceding just one shot on target throughout the match. Anchored by a strong return from goalkeeper Maxime Dupé and a disciplined central defensive trio featuring Antoine Mendy, Juma Bah and Kojo Peprah Oppong, the visitors never panicked. Martial Godo came close with a curling effort (20') and then missed a huge chance moments later by firing wide from close range (23').

The first half remained largely cagey, with Nice lacking sharpness in transition. But they quickly applied the lesson after the break. A magnificent outside-of-the-boot right-footed pass from Jonathan Clauss launched Elye Wahi, who had been combative but until then, rarely found in dangerous positions. Starting on the verge of being in an offside position, the Nice striker finally put his recent misfortune behind him after having a goal narrowly disallowed last weekend at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Control, dribble, and a composed finish—two passes, one shot: the Rouge et Noir sliced through the opposition defence to take a vital lead (0–1, 51st).

Dupé’s save, then the killer goal

Boosted by that goal, Morgan Sanson and his teammates grew in confidence as the minutes went by. Able to retain possession and slow down the tempo, they continued their gradual work of wearing down the opposition in transition, constantly threatening the Alsatian defence.

And when Strasbourg pushed hard around the hour mark, the Nice back line did not crack. Although Maxime Dupé had a bit of luck when Julio Enciso’s angled effort brushed the right post (69'), the Nice goalkeeper then produced a simply outstanding save to deny the Paraguayan international’s header from finding the net (76'). A decisive, almost unreal stop, reminiscent of the one he made in the Coupe de France round of 16 in Nantes on 11 January.

A sign that nothing could go wrong for the Aiglons in Alsace that evening? Probably, because moments later, Mohamed-Ali Cho was brought down in the box by Ismaël Doukouré, earning a penalty that was calmly converted by a clinical Elye Wahi (0–2, 82'). The winter signing, scorer of a magical brace, continues to leave his mark on his adventure in the most beautiful city in the world. That adventure will now lead to the Stade de France in exactly one month, for a final against RC Lens, his former club.

A thrilling end to the season awaits Nice supporters. But before fully returning to the magic of the cup, Claude Puel’s squad know they still face tough battles in their fight for survival. That statts with a fiery away trip to Olympique de Marseille on Sunday 26 April (8:45pm).

Hugo Rondet