Terem Moffi on target as Nantes hold Nice

By Wale Mustapha

A late goal from substitute Mostafa Mohammed denied Nigerian striker Terem Moffi a perfect night in French Ligue 1 encounter as they settled for 2-2 at Nantes on Sunday.

The 23-year-old netted with a towering header deep into the second half to ensure Moffi’s 15th league goal and second assist could only earn Nice a point.

The Super Eagles striker gave Nice a fifth minute lead when he headed home a corner from Ross Barkley.

The Canaries, however, responded before half time with an equalizer from a glancing header by Moussa Sissoko, beating goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The hosts could have find themselves in front before heading to the dugout, however Ludovic Blas blasted his penalty against the bar after Dante had upended Fabien Centonze in the box.

Nice came alive after the break and went close to score twice with Barkley, having two efforts saved by Alban Lafont.

Moffi also had his chance to make it 2-1 for the visitors soon after but was denied by Lafont before the former Lorient forward would soon turned provider for Nice’s second goal through Ndayishimiye’s finish.

With Nice’s bid for the third goal fluffed by Moffi, the visitors paid dearly for it with Mohammed turning in Joao Victor’s terrific cross two minutes from time to snatch a point for the Canaries.

Nice, however missed the chance to close the gap with the top five in race for European football spot next season, while Nantes, they will need to up their game to avoid closer to the relegation zone.