Badreddine Bouanani netted both goals for OGC Nice in a 2-1 victory over Cercle Bruges in the club’s first pre-season friendly match on Thursday morning.
The 19-year-old Algerian international made an immediate impact, finding the net just two minutes into the game. Latching onto a well-weighted through ball from captain Dante, Bouanani burst into the box and dispatched a low, precise shot beyond the Bruges goalkeeper to give Nice an early lead.
Lined up alongside Nigerian striker Terem Moffi in attack, Bouanani continued to pose problems for the Belgian side’s defence throughout the encounter, which was played over a shortened 60-minute format.
After Cercle Bruges managed to level the score, Bouanani restored Nice’s advantage early in the second half. In the 51st minute, he made a well-timed run into the area and coolly slotted home a composed finish after receiving a slick pass from teammate Louchet. The goal proved decisive, sealing the 2-1 win for Francesco Farioli’s side in their summer opener.
Fellow Algerian international Hicham Boudaoui also featured in the match, coming on as a substitute in the second half to get his first minutes of pre-season action.
The fixture was initially meant to follow an earlier scheduled match against Swiss side Lausanne, which was cancelled. The win over Cercle Bruges offered a first glimpse of Nice’s preparations ahead of a crucial season that will include continental competition.
The Ligue 1 side concluded the 2024–25 campaign in fourth place, securing a spot in the preliminary round of the UEFA Champions League. With that in mind, the club’s pre-season fixtures carry additional weight as Farioli looks to fine-tune his squad before competitive action resumes.
Nice’s next test will come against Dutch outfit Feyenoord on 25 July as preparations continue to build. Bouanani’s performance will no doubt be a source of optimism for supporters hoping the young forward can play a key role in both domestic and European campaigns in the coming season.
Having shown flashes of his potential in Ligue 1 last term, Bouanani’s brace in the friendly not only underlined his finishing quality but also his ability to thrive alongside senior players like Moffi.
If he maintains this form through pre-season, he could well emerge as a central figure in Nice’s push for silverware and Champions League qualification.
