Nigeria winger Moses Simon bags assist as 10-man Nantes tame Marseille

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigerian star, Moses Simon had an assist that proved crucial in ensuring that his French Ligue 1 side, Nantes FC forced Marseille to a 1-1 draw in a league encounter on Friday.

Ten-man Nantes avoided a fifth consecutive defeat against Marseille as they fought back from a man and a goal deficit to draw  1-1 at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

With Les Canaris managing just one win in their last 18 Ligue 1 games and as many points to their name this campaign from three outings, manager Pierre Aristouy was desperate for his side to keep things tight early on against a Marseille outfit whose transfer business suggests they are looking to mount a title challenge.

The host could not have started the match any worse against their visitors on their home ground.

Within four minutes of action, Vitinha twice worked Remy Deschamps between the Nantes sticks, and the second of those two efforts rebounded to new arrival Ismaila Sarr, who fired home with aplomb.

The disappointing start turned into a nightmare when centre back Bastien Meupiyou hauled down Sarr as the Senegalese International bore down on goal, leaving referee Rudy Buquet with no choice but to give the teenager a marching order.

Nantes responded and grew into the game after the red card and restored parity.

Simon and Mostafa Mohamed have arguably been Aristouy’s more reliable squad members as the two combined for the equaliser.

The former’s ball into the box was controlled and subsequently buried into the corner on the turn by the latter.

The second period was far less eventful than the first, which no doubt suited the home side.

Nigeria winger Simon who started the game was replaced by Maquinhos in the 91st minute.

Nantes occupy the 15th position with two points after four games and they will next visit Clement Foot on September 17.