Elye Wahi is nursing a thigh injury that sidelined him for Nice's 1-1 draw with Lens and may keep him out of Sunday's home match against Auxerre, a game that could secure Ligue 1 safety for the Gym. Despite the physical setback, the Ivorian striker has already proven his value since joining in January.
In a revealing interview, Wahi discussed the audacious panenka penalty he scored against former club Marseille at the hostile Stade Vélodrome. He explained that he anticipated goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli's dive to his customary side, so he opted for a cheeky chip down the middle. "I wanted to do something out of the ordinary, to make an impression," he said, acknowledging the tense atmosphere and confrontations with ex-teammates Facundo Medina and Leonardo Balerdi.
The 23-year-old reflected on his tumultuous journey. After a promising start, his moves to Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt turned sour. At Marseille, he felt he was given only four months to prove himself; at Frankfurt, he managed just four starts in a year. "In both clubs, they didn't give me time or a real chance," Wahi stated. He noted that even Lionel Messi would need time to show his qualities under such circumstances.
Nice proved to be the perfect environment for his resurgence. "My agent and family didn't want me to come here, but I was sure of my choice," Wahi said. He drew inspiration from Hatem Ben Arfa, Valère Germain, and Mario Balotelli, who all revived their careers on the Côte d'Azur. Under coach Claude Puel, he has found the freedom to express himself, and his confidence has been contagious, as noted by teammate Dante.
Wahi's impact has been immediate. His five months at Nice have restored his reputation and his chances of making Ivory Coast's World Cup squad. With the team fighting to avoid relegation, he remains focused on the immediate task. "It's impossible to see Nice in L2," he said, expressing belief that the team will stay up after a recent wake-up call against Strasbourg.
The striker's story is one of resilience. He acknowledges that early struggles toughened him. "In one year, I went from a top prospect to a guy who doesn't play at all. That's the learning process," he reflected. Now, with a crucial match against Auxerre looming, Wahi is determined to keep making his mark.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.