OGC Nice head coach, Franck Haise has lavished praise on forward Terem Moffi following his emotional goal on the final day of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season.
Moffi, who had missed the first 26 league matches of the season due to a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in pre-season, made a triumphant return on Saturday night at the Allianz Riviera.
Nice demolished Stade Brestois 6-0 in a statement win that sealed a fourth-place finish and a ticket to next season’s UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.
The Super Eagles striker was introduced in the 78th minute and needed just four minutes to make his mark.
Latching onto a through ball, Moffi rounded the Brest goalkeeper before calmly slotting home Nice’s fifth goal of the evening, sparking wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.
It was his only goal in five appearances this season, but arguably one of the most meaningful of his career.
After nearly nine months on the sidelines, the goal was a symbol of resilience and determination.
Speaking to OGC Nice’s official website, Franck Haise reflected on the club’s injury-plagued campaign and singled out Moffi’s return as a special moment.
“With the club’s employees, the staff, even if there will be changes, everyone worked well, the players too obviously, it’s to them that we must give the biggest credit, like Terem (Moffi) and his goal,” Haise said.
“It’s symbolic because we lost players very seriously to injury, and we lost others at the end of the season.
“Our season was really difficult. The taste of finishing fourth, with everything we’ve been through, is quite strong.”
The result not only secured Champions League football for the Riviera club but also marked their highest Ligue 1 finish since 2017. For Moffi, the strike was more than a goal it was a personal victory after months of uncertainty.
Taking to his Instagram story after the match, Moffi simply wrote: “Let them know we are back.”
