A laborious victory but a victory nonetheless for OGC Nice on Sunday, January 5, 2020, against Fréjus Saint-Raphaël (2-0).
Hardly threatened throughout the match, the Gym managed to win in the Round of 64 of the French Cup and thus advanced to the Round of 32. The Nice team ended a series of defeats in the competition that lasted for 5 seasons. The last victory for Nice dated back to January 21, 2014, when Nice managed to qualify for the Round of 16 after a thrilling match at the Vélodrome against Marseille (4-5).
This victory against their neighboring Fréjus team was greatly facilitated in the 26th minute when Marc Fachan, right-back of Fréjus Saint-Raphaël, committed a blatant foul on Myziane Maolida. The referee then issued a direct red card.
The Nice team then managed to perfectly maintain possession of the ball but failed to pose a threat. It wasn’t until the 56th minute, with a corner from Cyprien on the left side, that found Boudaoui’s head. The Algerian intercepted the ball’s trajectory at the near post and deceived the Fréjus Saint-Raphaël goalkeeper.
The second goal came from Adam Ounas, who in the dying moments of the match went alone to challenge the goalkeeper and beat him with a cross shot (90+4). It was the first goal in Nice colors for the Algerian, who was on loan from Naples.
The draw for the Round of 32 will take place this Monday at 8:15 pm. The Gym will then know the name of their future opponent, whom they will face on Saturday, January 18, or Sunday, January 19, 2020.
