Exceptional Nantes see off Lyon to reach cup final without Moses Simon

Nigeria international Moses Simon was a mere spectator as his club FC Nantes made it back-to-back appearance in the French Cup final. 

Captain fantastic Ludovic Blas was the star and hero of the day for the Yellow and Green after he scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over Olympic Lyon in the semifinal on Wednesday night. 

Super Eagles winger Simon watched the hard-fought win from start to finish on the bench as his club produced a defensive masterclass to keep Lyon at Bay. 

In the absence of Super Eagles star Simon who watched his teammates make them proud, the hero last season, Blas, came up clutch again for Nantes.

The home side dominated the encounter with their fans cheering them on and had the ball in the next after 30 minutes but it was cancelled as Lyon held on to ensure there was nothing to separate both teams at the break.

After the break, it was more of the same from the Yellow and Green who continued to look the most likely to find the breakthrough in the game.

And just before the hour mark, they were rewarded for their persistence when Blas left his marker for dead with a moment of brilliance before letting fly an excellent volley into the net.

It was no less than the holders deserved and they held on to the narrow lead obdurately as Lyon’s late fightback failed to produce the elusive equaliser.

With the win, Nantes will get a chance to defend their crown again when they take to the Stade de France for the final later this month against Toulouse or Annecy,