Junior Mandza’s Late Goal Sends OGC Nice Through to Gambardella Cup Round of 16
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A dramatic 88th-minute strike from Junior Mandza secured a 1-0 victory for OGC Nice over Monaco in the Gambardella Cup on Saturday, propelling the young Aiglons into the eighth final. The win follows a previous victory over Olympique de Marseille, achieved after a penalty shootout where Mandza again proved decisive wiht a stunning panenka.
The Gambardella Cup,considered the most prestigious youth competition in France,continues to showcase the talent emerging from Nice’s academy. According to reports, the match was a testament to the team’s resilience and tactical prowess.
A Derby Decided in the Final Moments
The contest was a tightly fought affair, with both sides demonstrating considerable skill. A moment of concern arose late in the game when Jah Masson Télusson’s cross was initially saved by the Monegasque goalkeeper, briefly raising the possibility of a draw. However, the spirit of Nice, observed by Maurice Cohen at La Turbie, proved to be the deciding factor.
The winning goal was a product of collective effort. Anthonyo Nevilus’s crucial intervention prevented the ball from going out of play, allowing for a precise pass from the Gym’s left winger to Zinedine Hasni. Hasni then delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Mandza, who finished with accuracy, sending his team into the next round.
Dominance Rewarded, Opportunities Missed
While the late goal ultimately decided the match, the Niçois were largely dominant throughout, limiting their opponents to few opportunities. Nassim Laarej came close to opening the scoring earlier in the game, but his attempt struck the post in the 69th minute. Despite this near miss, the team maintained its consistency and ultimately reaped the rewards.
“Football is sometimes unfair,” one observer noted, “Fortunately, the results in turn reflect the content.” This victory builds on previous successes in the competition, including a 2-0 win against Grasse and the aforementioned penalty shootout triumph over OM (1-1, 5-3 on penalties).
Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
The Gym U18s will learn their opponent in the round of 16 this Thursday, with matches scheduled for March 1st. the team’s remarkable run in the Gambardella Cup underscores the strength of Nice’s youth development program and signals a bright future for these promising young players.
The Starting XI for OGC nice:
Yout – Koffi (Fernandes 91′), K. Brignone, Sahraoui, Morane – Telusson, Hasni, Mandza, Nevilius – Laarrej (83′), Aïche.
Why: OGC Nice U18s competed in a Gambardella Cup match against Monaco.
Who: OGC Nice U18s defeated Monaco U18s. Key players included Junior Mandza, Anthonyo Nevilius, and Zinedine Hasni.
What: OGC Nice secured a 1-0 victory over Monaco in the Gambardella Cup,advancing to the Round of 16.
How: The match was decided by a late goal in the 88th minute from Junior Mandza, set up by a team effort involving Nevilius and Hasni. The Niçois dominated possession and created several opportunities, with Laarej hitting the post earlier in the game.
