Coupe de France: Simon eyes successive French Cup glory

Moses-Simon-Nantes

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By Anthony Nlebem.

Nigerian winger Moses Simon will be looking to help Nantes win two successive French Cup titles when they take on Toulouse in the final of the Coupe de France on Saturday (today) at the Stade de France.

The 27-year-old Nigeria international’s fine form last season powered Les Canaris to their first French Cup for the first time in 22 years after beating Nice 1-0 in the final at the Stade de France.

Ludovic Blas drilled home a penalty at the start of the second half to bring Nantes their first major trophy since winning the Ligue 1 title in 2001.

The 27-year-old Simon has struggled for form this season and managed just two appearances in the French Cup but will be hoping to get playing time in the final to shoot his team to back-to-back titles.

Les Canaris reached the final for the second successive year thanks to a 1-0 semi-final victory over Lyon, while the challengers scraped past second-tier Annecy to advance to the showpiece match for the first time since 2001
Since suffering a 4-2 defeat to Lens in the 2020/21 edition, the Canaries who overcame Nice in last year’s final have incredibly won each of their last 11 Coupe de France matches.

Antoine Kombouaré’s side eliminated Vire, Thaon and Angers in the earlier rounds, before shocking Ligue 1 title outsiders Lens 2-1 in the quarter-finals and sending Lyon packing in the semis, thanks to Blas’ winner.

The champions will be aiming to continue their dominance in the competition and claim the title as a consolation for a bad season.

Les Canaris are 16th in Ligue 1 with 32 points from 32 matches, only one step above the relegation zone on goals difference and have gone nine games without a win. They held Troyes to a 2-2 stalemate last weekend.