Moses Simon was once again on the scoresheet for FC Nantes, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a 3-2 loss to Le Havre in their Ligue 1 clash at Stade Océane on Sunday.

The highly anticipated match saw both teams come in with a point to prove. Le Havre, battling to escape relegation, sought a crucial victory, while Nantes aimed to stabilize their mid-table position after recent inconsistent performances.

The game kicked off with intensity, and it didn’t take long for the home side to make an impact. In the 12th minute, Abdoulaye Touré found the back of the net to give Le Havre an early advantage. The midfielder capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting a well-placed shot past the goalkeeper to send the home crowd into celebration.

Nantes responded well despite the early setback. They gradually gained control of possession and started creating opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Mostafa Mohamed finished off a well-worked team move, bringing the visitors level. The equalizer came after a smooth passage of play, with Mohamed displaying excellent composure to find the bottom corner.

However, Le Havre remained dangerous in attack. Just before halftime, Touré struck again, this time heading in from a well-delivered corner in the 42nd minute. His second goal of the night restored Le Havre’s lead and sent Nantes into the break with plenty of work to do.

After the restart, Nantes wasted no time in their quest for another equalizer. Their determination bore fruit in the 49th minute when Nigerian winger Moses Simon once again stepped up for his side. Matthis Abline provided a precise pass into the box, allowing Simon to control the ball skillfully before calmly slotting it past the goalkeeper to make it 2-2. It was a moment of quality from the Super Eagles forward, who has been one of Nantes’ standout players this season.

Simon’s goal marked his seventh of the campaign, adding to his already impressive tally of eight assists. With his direct involvement in more than half of Nantes’ league goals this season, he remains an integral part of their attacking force. His consistency in delivering crucial moments has been one of the few positives in what has been a challenging season for the Canaries.

Despite their spirited comeback, Nantes struggled to maintain defensive solidity. Le Havre continued to push forward, determined to secure all three points. In the 88th minute, their persistence paid off as Timothée Pembélé, on loan from Sunderland, netted his first Ligue 1 goal. Pembélé found himself in the right place at the right time, delivering a powerful strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance. The late goal crushed Nantes’ hopes of securing at least a draw, and despite their efforts, they were unable to respond in the remaining minutes.

The final whistle confirmed another disappointing result for Nantes, who have now suffered three defeats in their last five league matches. Their latest setback leaves them in 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings, struggling to find the consistency needed to push higher up the table.

On the other hand, Le Havre’s victory proved vital in their fight for survival, moving them to 16th place and keeping their hopes alive in the relegation battle. Their resilience and determination earned them a crucial three points, bringing some relief to their campaign.

For Moses Simon, the defeat comes shortly after Nigeria’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers. While both his club and national team have struggled for consistency, his individual performances continue to shine. His impressive form remains a beacon of hope for both FC Nantes and the Super Eagles as they look to finish their respective campaigns on a high note.