Key Ligue 1 relegation playoff match for Nice and Saint-Étienne

The decisive first leg of the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs kicks off this Tuesday as AS Saint-Étienne hosts OGC Nice at the iconic Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. Two key African internationals—Yehvann Diouf and Antoine Mendy—are set to start for the visitors in a high-stakes clash.

After falling short in the Coupe de France final against RC Lens, Nice must now secure a positive result on the road to preserve their top-flight status. The Gymnastes, currently 16th in Ligue 1, face a daunting challenge against a Saint-Étienne side that sits third in Ligue 2. The stakes couldn’t be higher: a single slip-up could decide which team remains in France’s elite division.

The match carries immense weight for both sides. Nice, despite their mid-table struggles, will push hard to avoid the drop, while Saint-Étienne—a club steeped in history—seeks to reclaim its place among the country’s footballing elite. With Diouf and Mendy leading the charge, the African contingent will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome.