Indomitable Lions of Cameroon forward Faris Pemi Moumbagna was sent off on Wednesday evening at the Velodrome as Olympique Marseille settled for a frustrating 2-2 against OGC Nice.
A direct red card to the 23-year-old Cameroon international just before the interval made it tough for a Marseille side that were hoping to get their first win in five games before conceding 18 minutes before the end of regulation time.
In a logical move, Coach Jean-Louis Gasset opted to start with Moumbagna upfront, alongside regular forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, and reward for the two goals scored coming off the bench in the last two games.
Unfortunately, for the Cameroonian he only lasted the first half as two cautions saw him head for an early bath.Cautious of Marseille’s ambitions to get a win and close the gap on them, Nice started on the front foot from kick-off of the game and obtained a quick reward. 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner Jeremy Boga picked Nigerian forward Terem Moffi with a great ball and the latter made it count.
OGC Nice’s one-goal advantage after 13 minutes meant they set the tempo of the game, pushing Marseille into their half most of the opening moments.
Jonathan Clauss leveled for the Phoceen against the run of play just after the half-hour mark to leave the contest even at the interval though Marseille was down to ten following the sending off of Moumbagna in stoppage time of the first-half.
Marseille went ahead just after the interval, scoring his 26th goal of the season. However, they couldn’t protect the lead as Nice somehow found a way back through Melvin Bard.
Chances were at a premium during the closing stages of the game as both sides applied a cautiously ambitious approach till the full-time whistle from the match Referee.
The result extends Marseille’s winless run to five games and leaves them on the eighth spot on the log with 41 points, 11 points away from the first UEFA Champions League qualifying position occupied by Lille after 30 match days.
Moumbagna who counts three goals and one assist in ten Ligue 1 appearances since arriving from Norway will miss Sunday’s home game against sixth-placed RC Lens.
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