Ivorian hurricane in France.. Elye Wahi continues to shine and leads Nice to crush Rennes

30.10.26 FT Ligue 1 France

Nice

5

:

Rennes

2

Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi delivered an outstanding performance on Friday 30 October scoring a hat trick and providing an assist as OGC Nice defeated Rennes 5-2 in the ninth round of French Ligue 1.

The 23 year old striker was involved in all three of Nice's first half goals at the Allianz Riviera, scoring twice from the penalty spot before setting up Jonathan Clauss with an impressive backheel.

Wahi completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute helping Olivier Pantaloni's side secure their second consecutive league victory.

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Two goals and an assist: Wahi dominates the first half

Wahi made an immediate impact winning a penalty after being brought down by Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Lemaitre.

The Ivorian forward converted the resulting spot kick in the 12th minute to give Nice an early advantage.

However, Rennes responded just three minutes later when Polish midfielder Sebastian Szymanski headed home a cross from Cameroonian defender Mahamadou Nagida.

Wahi restored Nice's lead in the 34th minute, converting another penalty after Jonathan Clauss was fouled by Valentin Rongier.

The striker then produced one of the most impressive moments of the opening period.

Deep into stoppage time, Wahi won possession before delivering a clever backheel towards Clauss who unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner.

The goal gave Nice a 3-1 half time advantage, with Wahi directly involved in all three goals.

Wahi completes his hat-trick as Nice overwhelm Rennes

Nice maintained their attacking momentum after the interval.

Algerian international Mohamed Amoura extended the lead in the 52nd minute finishing a move created by Sofiane Diop.

Rennes briefly reduced the deficit six minutes later through Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia, who converted a penalty.

However, Wahi had the final say.

In the 73rd minute, substitute Gauthier Hein provided the decisive pass for the Ivorian striker who scored from close range to complete his hat-trick and establish the final 5-2 scoreline.

The performance also featured an impressive display from Senegalese goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf whose saves helped Nice withstand Rennes' attacking pressure.

Six Ligue 1 goals: Wahi's impressive resurgence continues

Friday's hat-trick took Wahi's league tally to six goals in eight appearances this season making him Nice's leading scorer.

His performance followed another decisive contribution against Brest on 23 October.

As Foot Africa previously reported, Wahi scored and assisted in Nice's 2-1 victory over Brest.

Across those two matches, the Ivorian registered four goals and two assists, highlighting his growing importance to Pantaloni's attacking system.

The resurgence is particularly significant given Wahi's difficult experiences at several clubs earlier in his career.

After spells with Montpellier, Lens, Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt, he returned to Nice during the summer.

As Foot Africa reported following his return, the agreement with Frankfurt involved a season-long loan with a reported €15 million purchase option.

His latest displays could strengthen Nice's case for securing his services permanently, although no decision has been announced.

What does Nice's victory mean for the Ligue 1 standings?

The emphatic victory lifted Nice provisionally to seventh place with 14 points, moving them closer to the European qualification positions.

Rennes, meanwhile, suffered a damaging defeat after entering the encounter among the league's leading teams.

For Wahi, the match represented another significant step in his return to form.

Having switched his international allegiance from France to Ivory Coast earlier in 2026, the striker's improving consistency could also strengthen his position within the Elephants' attacking options.

Three goals, one assist and a commanding individual display against Rennes underline Wahi's growing influence as Nice continue their recovery in Ligue 1.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

Nice

Rennes

Ligue 1 France