Elye Wahi stars for Nice with hat-trick and assist in Rennes win

Elye Wahi scored a hat-trick and provided an assist as OGC Nice claimed an emphatic 5-2 victory over Stade Rennais on Friday, 30 October.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast striker was central to the result on the ninth matchday of Ligue 1, contributing directly to four of Nice’s five goals. His performance helped the club strengthen its challenge for European places and marked an important return to form for the former Montpellier player.

Wahi has endured difficult spells during his career but is now beginning to recover the confidence that previously made him one of the most promising forwards of his generation. Against Rennes, he combined efficiency inside the penalty area with an important contribution to Nice’s collective play.

Wahi delivers decisive performance

The Nice forward opened his account from the penalty spot, showing composure to convert one of two penalties. He later completed his hat-trick with a composed finish after receiving a cut-back from Gauthier Hein.

His influence extended beyond his goals. Wahi also set up one of his team-mates, ensuring that he played a direct part in four of Nice’s five goals during an outstanding individual display.

The performance continues an encouraging start to the campaign. After eight league appearances, Wahi now has six goals and two assists, figures which underline his growing importance to OGC Nice’s attack.

His contribution against Stade Rennais was also significant because it came in a match with implications for the European places. Nice now have an additional attacking threat capable of deciding important games, while Wahi’s form gives the side greater balance between individual quality and collective work.

Nice hoping Wahi can maintain his form

Wahi’s ability to influence matches in several ways could prove valuable as the season develops. His finishing, penalty-taking and link-up play were all evident against Rennes, but the next challenge will be to reproduce that level consistently.

The striker is valued at 18 million euros by Transfermarkt, and expectations around him are now rising after his three-goal display. Having experienced more difficult periods, he appears to have found a favourable environment on the Cote d’Azur in which to express his qualities.

For Nice, the priority will be to make the most of Wahi’s resurgence as the club pursues its European ambitions. For the forward, maintaining this level of consistency will be crucial if his performance against Rennes is to represent the start of a genuinely new chapter in his career.