In the 30th matchday of National 2, Nîmes won in Limonest (3-2), while Cannes also secured victory at home against Saint-Maur (2-0). Although AS Cannes will be playing in Ligue 3 next season, the Nîmes club will have to hope for a repêchage to access the same level.
Nîmes won the crucial game in Limonest (3-2), but Cannes did the same hundreds of kilometers south, defeating Saint-Maur (2-0). Nîmes needed just one more point against Nîmes Olympique to become champions of National 2 Group C and earn a spot in the newly established Ligue 3, which awaits the Azuréens next season.
For ten intense minutes straddling both halves, the Crocos pushed hard in the Rhône region, with Bennour breaking the deadlock (0-1, 40th minute), finally bypassing Limonest’s defense, almost simultaneously collapsing a barrier where Gardois supporters were leaning. A moment of both fear and great joy.
At the 47th minute, Bennour doubled the lead, but Cannes opened the scoring. Following the break, Nîmes believed even more as Bennour scored again (0-2, 47th minute). The players were hopeful as Cannes and Saint-Maur were deadlocked at halftime (0-0). However, the situation turned sour for Nîmes at the 47th minute when Cannes scored.
Despite Doucouré extending Nîmes’ lead (0-3, 55th minute), some Crocos seemed aware of the situation unfolding on the Côte d’Azur.
The Crocos faced a scare until the end in Limonest, with Alexander (1-3, 58th minute) and Sergio Domingos (2-3, 67th minute) scoring two impressive goals, leaving Dias beaten.
In the last twenty minutes of the Limonest-Nîmes match, the Gardois managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle, while Cannes sealed their victory over Saint-Maur (2-0, 77th minute).
Despite the win, Nîmes players remained motionless for a few seconds, reflecting on the lost opportunity. The season comes to an end as attention now shifts to administrative decisions, including the DNCG’s upcoming deliberations. Nîmes, 2nd in the league, hopes for a repêchage.
Technical sheet: – Limonest: 2 – Nîmes: 3 – Parc des Sports Courtois-Fillot – Halftime: 0-1 – Referee: Ali Djedid
Goals: – Limonest: Alexander (68th), Sergio Domingos (77th) – Nîmes Olympique: Bennour (40th, 47th), Doucouré (55th)
Team line-ups and substitutions are also provided in the technical sheet.
