Akor Adams launches French Ligue 1 debut with brace for Montpellier

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward, Akor Adams was the star for French Ligue 1 side, Montpellier during his debut game with Le Havre which ended in a 2-2 draw in the opening match of the 2023/2024 season on Sunday.

A comeback victory after his quick-fire double proved elusive, as Samuel Grandsir’s late leveller prevented Michel Der Zarkarian from making it 10 wins in 17 games since his return to the Stade de la Mosson last season.

The visitors took the lead as a dangerous free kick took multiple ricochets before bouncing off Le Havre defender Gautier Lloris and into the net, stunning the home crowd into silence.

Montpellier began to dominate possession after conceding while the visitors looked to counter.

The second half continued similarly and Le Havre ought to have doubled the lead when a fluid counterattack resulted in the ball falling to Loïc Nego after a panicked attempt at a clearance, but he fired his effort over the bar.

The Ligue 1 newcomers were made to pay for that miss immediately as debutant Adams demonstrated that his outstanding form in the Norwegian Eliteserien with 15 goals could translate to the French top flight.

The equaliser came from a thumping header as the host continued to torment the visiting defence.

Adams’ second goal came just moments later via an outstanding piece of individual play.

He showed pace and power to stream-rolled down the left flank before a moment of elegance as he guided the ball into the far corner. Le Havre struck in the final moments to nick a point.

Grandsir’s heavy touch appeared to have ruined his chances but somehow found a way between Benjamin Lecomte and his near post with his powerful strike to make it 2-2.

Adams saw 77 minutes of action before he was replaced by Elye Wahi after a superb display for his new side he joined from Lillestrom last week.