The 2024-2025 season for the OGCN Handball women’s team begins tomorrow evening. After more than three months of the off-season and numerous changes, the Red and Black show great ambitions.
The seasons follow one another and resemble each other for OGCN Handball. Eighth two years ago, ninth last season, the Nice team regularly settles in the lower half of the rankings. These results are partly due to lapses, such as last spring when the team went six games without a victory (5 losses and one draw), leading to a drop in the rankings. This disappointment is now behind them, thanks to encouraging preparation matches. The Aiglonnes suffered only a narrow defeat against Plan-de-Cuques in their second match (24-25) over five matches. They also started their season well by dominating Bouillargues (24-31) in their first French Cup match.
A lively transfer window
On the transfer side, we note the departures of Anne-Emmanuelle Augustine (61 goals last season), Sitha Laureen Dembélé (31 goals), and Mathita Diawara (23 goals). Three pillars of the 2023-2024 session are leaving the club, as are Zazie Samzun and Lou Le Béchennec. To compensate for these losses, the leaders have focused on two leaders from the Neptunes of Nantes. First, Marine Dupuis, who scored 101 goals last season, has been appointed captain for this season. The left winger will be accompanied by the right back Marie-Hélène Sajka (96 goals). These two key offensive reinforcements are completed by the arrival of pivot Louna Benezeth, who played in National 1.
Sébastien Mizoule replaces Clément Alcacer
Clément Alcacer, heading to Dijon, has left his spot on the Red and Black bench to Sébastien Mizoule. The 49-year-old technician from Auvergne is a well-known figure in the Ligue Butagaz Energie. He notably managed the Besançon team for the last five seasons, leading the Bisontines to the European Cup twice. “I am very happy to join OGC Nice Handball. Our paths almost crossed 4 years ago, and now they have. I come with humility and great motivation, but also with the experience gained at ESBF in the championship and in the European Cup, to continue to stabilize and advance the Nice project. There are great things to do, I am convinced of it,” declared the new coach of the Nice team.
The coach has signed a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth year, thus allowing him time to implement an ambitious project. An early glimpse of this project will be visible as soon as tomorrow during the reception of Sambre.
