SPORTS MINUTE Todays sports news of Thursday, April 30, 2026

Nîmes Olympique

“A turning point in a career” Nîmes Olympique (1st, 53 pts) travels to Andrészieux-Bouthéon (7th, 38 pts) on Saturday night for the 28th round of National 2. While the Crocodiles cannot secure promotion to Ligue 3 this weekend, they would take a further step towards the upper floor by winning at the Envol stadium. Coached by Mickaël Gas, the players have little room for maneuver as on Friday night AS Cannes (2nd, 51 pts) will host GOAL FC (9th, 36 pts) and on Saturday Saint-Maur (3rd, 51 pts) will visit Saint-Priest (13th, 29 pts). After the impressive victory against Cannes, the Nîmes players will face a different context from that of the Antonins stadium. Should we fear overconfidence from the NO players? No, answers midfielder Vincent Pires, reminding his younger teammates, “It’s their future at stake. Playing in Ligue 3 or National 2 is not the same. For those who won’t be at the club next season, it will be easier to find a team if they go up with Nîmes. It’s not the same impact as finishing 8th. It’s a turning point in a career. In Ligue 3, there will be more visibility and all matches will be broadcast. It’s also a big turning point for the club.”

Andrészieux trap

“Do not rest on one’s laurels and go back into battle.” This is the motto this week at the Bastide training center. It was necessary to recharge the batteries after the exhausting victory against Cannes. But one must also not let go mentally, so close to the goal, despite the general enthusiasm: “Many people talk about promotion, and we must keep a cool head. Andrészieux is the trap par excellence because we have to win and they have nothing left to play for, it will be a bit like facing a dangerous team, and we can also feel some pressure. The team has matured in away games, and we also need to improve our ability to hold onto the top spot. It is not over, and it will be very tough. We will have to go all the way and know how to finish the job,” warns Clément Depres. The Nîmes Olympique fans on Saturday night will settle for an ugly victory with the ugliest goal of Clément Depres’s career.

USAM

“The squad for Sélestat.” This Friday, USAM Nîmes Gard travels to Sélestat (16th, 10 pts) for the 26th round of Starligue. Against the Alsace bottom team, the Nîmes players (11th, 19 pts) will try to get back on track in a season where they can no longer hope for a European spot. In the first leg, the players were held by Sélestat before winning by two goals (29-27).

The Nîmes squad selected: Grosjean, Draussin, Anquetil, Vincent, Acquevillo, Gibelin, Faustin, Derisbourg, Zuzo, Gibernon, Nol, Onodi, Tuxagues, Peyre, Kamtchop-Baril and Kaczor. Two absences with Pardin (recovery phase) and Hodzic (knee injury). Finally, Wedberg was not selected.