Moffi blow for Lorient and Nigeria after an ankle injury in a draw against Balogun’s Reims
Terem Moffi is a doubt for Nigeria’s friendlies after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday’s Ligue 1 draw with Reims.
Moffi left after 26 minutes.
Agbadou and Lopy were sent off because the extent of their injuries was unknown.
WHAT OCCURRED? After scoring twice against Brest the previous week, the Nigerian was named to the Merlucciidaes’ starting lineup against the Red and Whites. Unfortunately, he could only play for 25 minutes after suffering an ankle injury due to a challenge from Julien Ponceau. Ibrahima Kone later replaced him as the closely contested match inside Stade du Moustoir ended with no winner and no vanquished.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Prior to this encounter, the 23-year-old forward had scored eight goals for Lorient and hoped to add to his goal tally in the ongoing campaign. Should this setback keep him on the sidelines for weeks, he could miss Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Costa Rica and Portugal. For his Ligue 1 outfit, he will be missing in action as Regis Le Bris’ side continues to chase their maiden French top-flight triumph.
On a broader scale, this result stopped Lorient from moving to the summit of the Ligue 1 log temporarily pending the outcome of Sunday’s showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille at Parc des Princes.
AND WHAT IS MORE? While Moffi’s compatriot Innocent Bonnke was an unused substitute for Lorient, Folarin Balogun played from start to finish for Reims but could not get the job done. Unfortunately for the visitors, they were reduced to nine men following the expulsion of Cote d’Ivoire’s Emmanuel Agbadou and Senegal international Dion Lopy.
STORY IN ONE PHOTO:
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DID YOU KNOW? Moffi’s father, Leo, was a footballer in Nigeria who played as a goalkeeper.
WHAT NEXT FOR MOFFI? Although the extent of the striker’s injury is unknown, he is expected to sit out of action to return to full fitness. Unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, Lorient will face Troyes on October 23.
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