Away at Raymond-Kopa, OGC Nice ended a long period without a victory. A success (0-2) built after the break, thanks to a sharper second half and the decisive entry of Elye Wahi. Angers resisted for a long time but gave way at the end of the match.
The meeting between SCO Angers and OGC Nice promised to be tense. On one side, SCO Angers established in mid-table but still concerned with the fight for survival. On the other, OGCN in search of direction after a heavy defeat in Rennes and a winless streak that had lasted since the end of January. The context weighed on both teams, and the opening confirmed it.
The ball circulated mostly in Nice’s possession. The build-up was directed towards the right side, with an active and available Morgan Sanson – Jonathan Clauss duo. The passes found relays, but without creating major imbalance. The SCO responded with a compact block, attentive to closing gaps. Both goalkeepers had a quiet start.
The match was disrupted by several stoppages. Angevin goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, uncertain before kick-off, received treatment but was able to continue. On the other hand, Carlens Arcus had to give way to Emmanuel Biumla. This change altered Angers’ organization and offered more space to the visitors, without however breaking the deadlock.
The minutes ticked by without any real chance. The Eagles monopolized the ball, but without any real acceleration. Angers tried to clear cleanly, but were too far from the opposing box to worry. The first shot on target came late, in the 44th minute. On the left, Boudache held on before crossing back. Morgan Sanson struck from the left, but the flat shot ended in Hervé Koffi’s hands.
The added time offered one last alert. From 25 meters away, Hicham Boudaoui tried his luck. This time, the trajectory found the target. Another save by the Nice goalkeeper kept the score at 0-0. A firm intervention, saved in two attempts, which concluded a first half dominated territorially by Nice but without effectiveness.
Elye Wahi tips the balance
The return from the dressing rooms confirmed the momentum observed before the break. The Gym regained control of the ball and quickly created a huge chance. A powerful free kick from Jonathan Clauss headed towards the top corner. Hervé Koffi’s leap pushed the ball away with his fingertips.
Nice’s pressure intensified over the minutes. On a quick combination that allowed Antoine Mendy to present himself in the box, Morgan Sanson managed to slip a precise pass in a one-two, but Hervé Koffi again denied the attempt by coming out on the ground. The Angevin goalkeeper kept his team in the match.
The turning point came from the bench. Claude Puel brought on Elye Wahi. The striker immediately brought pace. On his first touch, an acceleration on the right eliminated three defenders. The cross at the far post found Melvin Bard, who finished with a simple gesture validated by VAR 0-1.
Elye Wahi continued at the same pace. A powerful shot forced Hervé Koffi to another intervention. Angers suffered, unable to keep the ball. Proof of this, Nice’s possession exceeded 70%. The attempts multiplied, with more assured control than in the first half.
SCO nevertheless found a second wind in the final quarter of an hour. A deflection from Peter offered a good opportunity to Sbaï who controlled the ball well to unleash a sharp shot that came close to the top corner. A serious alert for Nice, which retreated by sequences.
The added time offered one last Angevin attempt. Djibirin fired a shot from the left at the corner of the box. The ball flew just above, accompanied by the gaze of Yehvann Diouf relieved to see the attempt miss the target.
The end of the match tipped in an unusual situation. Hervé Koffi came up on a final corner to try to equalize. Nice’s transition allowed Elye Wahi to recover the ball and attempt a lob from over 30 meters. The trajectory surprised the defense and ended in the back of the net. Nice sealed the score: (2-0).
This victory ends a long period of five games without a win in Ligue 1. With this success, OGC Nice climbs to 14th place awaiting Le Havre’s match tomorrow. In any case, the three points do wonders for morale before hosting PSG next Saturday at 9 p.m.
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