Nigerian Duo Lights Up Pre-Season: Moffi, Ukaki On The Scoresheet

Two Nigerian forwards, Terem Moffi and Ehije Ukaki, found the back of the net as OGC Nice secured a 3-2 win over Sheffield United in a pulsating pre-season encounter on Wednesday.

The match, held at the Complexe Sportif C Formation in Nice, offered fans a dramatic five-goal spectacle, with both sides showing flashes of attacking intent in a high-paced encounter.

Tyrese Campbell put Sheffield United ahead in the 29th minute, bundling home from close range after a good header from Gus Hamer.

However, the French Ligue 1 side responded before the break, with Morgan Sanson drawing Nice level in the 44th minute following an assist from Badredine Bouanani.

Nice’s lead came through Nigerian international Terem Moffi in the 67th minute.

The 25-year-old forward, returning to full fitness after an injury-plagued 2024/25 campaign, showed his class with a curling left-footed finish into the far corner — a goal that left the Blades’ goalkeeper with no chance.

But the English side responded swiftly, and it was another Nigerian, Ehije Ukaki, who made the difference. The young striker levelled things up in the 73rd minute with an impressive individual effort. Racing into the Nice danger area after a clever pass from Tom Cannon, Ukaki feinted past his marker and rifled the ball into the net.

Interestingly, Ukaki only joined Sheffield United this summer after being scouted by AI in Bulgaria.

The winner, however, came in unorthodox fashion. Harrison Burrows inadvertently passed the ball into his own net in the 80th minute, handing the victory to Francesco Farioli’s side.

It was Nice’s sixth pre-season friendly in July, with wins over Cercle Brugge, Aubagne, Feyenoord, and now Sheffield United. They have also drawn against Nancy and lost only once, to FC St Pauli on July 26.

For Moffi, this goal is a step towards rediscovering the form that saw him net 11 goals in the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season. Having managed just one goal in five league games last term due to injury, the Super Eagles forward will be keen to stay fit and fire on all cylinders when the 2025/26 season kicks off.

Soccernet.ng