Wahi and boudache’s heroic farewell: nice secures ligue 1 status

Elye Wahi, concluding his loan spell, and Kaïl Boudache, on the verge of joining Lyon, proved instrumental in Nice’s dramatic retention of their Ligue 1 position. Their stellar performances on Friday night led to a decisive 4-1 victory over Saint-Étienne, who had been pushing for promotion from Ligue 2 after a goalless first leg.

A powerful embrace with coach Claude Puel, who was lifted in sheer delight, perfectly captured the moment. Elye Wahi, beaming with joy, celebrated his third goal for Nice in the 87th minute, just as added time loomed. He then added another exquisite strike in the 90th+2 minute, sealing the club’s Ligue 1 survival with a 4-1 aggregate win against Saint-Étienne. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up as he spoke to reporters. “Achieving such a result at home, even without our fans, is truly extraordinary,” he shared. “I am immensely proud of myself, and incredibly proud of the entire team.”

This memorable evening in Nice, despite the absence of a crowd, will undoubtedly be etched into the history of the Gym. Wahi leaves behind an indelible legacy of a highly successful loan period, having served as the linchpin in this challenging battle for survival. His contribution of nine goals across all competitions revitalized the Riviera club’s offensive efforts. For Wahi personally, this six-month stint offered a valuable opportunity to regain his formidable form, a return to brilliance as vibrant as the red braids he sported for this final fixture.

During his time with Nice, Wahi also earned his call-up to the Ivorian national team and is now preparing to join them for the upcoming World Cup. He will return to Francfort with a transformed reputation, having shed any previous perception of nonchalance. His commitment and fresh energy deeply impacted the entire squad.

Boudache: the determined talent

On that same Friday night, the Allianz Riviera spotlight was shared by another forward in a unique situation: 19-year-old Kaïl Boudache. Overlooked by Nice’s plans last summer, when he underwent a trial at Braga, and again in December when he resisted overtures from Dunkerque (L2) – always holding onto the dream of playing for his boyhood club – the dynamic young Eagle experienced an unforgettable start to 2026.

He seized the chance presented by the coaching duo Claude Puel and Julien Sablé to showcase his abilities in January. His explosive pace and blistering speed were on full display, qualities he used to pounce on an attacking ball and convert it into the crucial 2-1 goal in the 81st minute. This pivotal moment might well be remembered as his parting gift to Nice. After considerable deliberation and uncertainty surrounding Nice’s future project, Boudache ultimately opted to accept an offer from Lyon, where he is set to sign his first professional three-year contract on Monday.