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On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, OGC Nice secured their place in the Coupe de France final with a convincing 2-0 victory over RC Strasbourg Alsace at Stade de la Meinau. The match, played as the second leg of the Coupe de France semi-finals, saw Elye Wahi score both goals for the visitors, ensuring Nice’s progression to the final where they will face RC Lens on May 22, 2026.
The victory marked a significant moment for Nice, who have not won the Coupe de France since 1997. Their last appearance in the final came in 2022, when they lost 1-0 to FC Nantes. This year’s run represents an opportunity to salvage a challenging Ligue 1 campaign, during which they have hovered near the relegation zone, sitting just four points above the play-off position as of late April 2026.
Wahi opened the scoring early in the second half with a composed finish into the corner after receiving the ball inside the penalty area. His second goal came eight minutes from time from the penalty spot, awarded after Strasbourg defender Ismael Doukoure brought down Mohamed Ali-Cho in the box. The penalty was calmly converted, sealing the 2-0 win and Nice’s passage to the Stade de France showdown.
Strasbourg entered the match having recently defeated 1. FSV Mainz 05 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, a result that had boosted morale ahead of the cup tie. Yet, they were unable to carry that form into the semi-final, struggling to create clear chances against a well-organised Nice defence. Gary O’Neil’s side made several changes from their Conference League victory, but the adjustment did not yield the desired result.
Among Strasbourg’s players, Irish international Andrew Omobamidele started at centre-back and played 65 minutes before being substituted. It marked his 33rd appearance of the 2025-26 season for the Ligue 1 club. Omobamidele, who joined Strasbourg from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of €8 million, expressed disappointment after the match but emphasized the demand to focus on upcoming challenges, including Strasbourg’s UEFA Conference League semi-final tie against Rayo Vallecano.
“We need to endeavor our best to take positives out of it. This loss won’t define our season,” Omobamidele told French media following the game. His comments reflected a broader sentiment within the Strasbourg camp that while the cup exit was disappointing, their European ambitions remain intact.
The Coupe de France final between Nice and Lens is scheduled for May 22, 2026, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Both teams will look to use the match as a platform to end their seasons on a high note, with Nice aiming to end a 29-year wait for the trophy and Lens seeking to add to their recent domestic success.
For continued updates on the Coupe de France final and other football developments, readers are encouraged to follow official tournament channels and trusted sports news outlets. Share your thoughts on the semi-final result and what you expect from the final in the comments below.