'Supposed to play v Brighton' - OGC Nice coach issues update on Moffi before Monaco clash

Super Eagles center forward Terem Moffi has not kicked a ball in a competitive game this season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during pre-season preparations at French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice.

  However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Nigeria national teamer is on the verge of making a comeback after missing the first seven months of the campaign.

OGC Nice head coach Franck Haise contemplated including Moffi in the Elite squad for Wednesday's friendly against Brighton & Hove, but the Nigerian forward ultimately did not feature.

The 25-year-old participated in full training with his teammates in the morning before the friendly against the Seagulls, but watched the game from the sidelines.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before the trip to Monaco, Franck Haise confirmed that Moffi is making good progress in his recovery and explained why the former Lorient man and midfielder Morgan Sanson were not involved in Wednesday's friendly.

"Terem and Morgan are applying, yes. They were supposed to play on Wednesday (against Brighton), but the team was very young and it was our big session of the week, so we thought it was better to do a big 1.5-hour session," he was quoted as saying by France Bleu. 

Moffi, who has been working his way back into peak condition, will be hoping to regain full match fitness and secure a spot in the team as the season progresses.

Franck Haise highlighted Moffi's recent improvement, noting his increased sharpness and energy levels in training.

"Terem has improved over the last ten days. In terms of sequences and dynamism," he added. 

Moffi has not done badly since his controversial transfer to OGC Nice in January 2023, having directly participated in 25 goals (20 goals, 5 assists) in 52 games across all competitions. 

Although he is in contention to be named in the gameday squad versus Monaco, it is a foregone conclusion that he will not be in the starting lineup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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