Elye Wahi leaves Nice for World Cup, says Ivory Coast can be among tournament favourites

Elye Wahi will depart OGC Nice after the club secured Ligue 1 survival with a 4-1 victory over AS Saint‑Étienne, heading straight to the FIFA World Cup with the Ivory Coast national team. The 23‑year‑old striker, who joined Nice in January, played a decisive role in the season‑ending win, scoring one of the goals that clinched the club’s top‑flight status. Wahi’s contribution this campaign totals seven goals in 18 appearances, a tally that helped Nice avoid relegation despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury. "I got injured too, and so that stopped my momentum, but I managed to come back in time to help the team, and that’s the most important thing," he said after the match. Now, with the World Cup looming, Wahi describes the tournament as a lifelong dream that feels surreal until he steps onto the pitch. "It’s a dream and, at the moment, it doesn’t feel real. I think it will be the moment that I step onto the pitch that it will feel real," he explained. The forward is confident that the Ivory Coast can compete with the traditional powerhouses. "We mustn’t set ourselves limits on what we can do and give everything that we have in every match," Wahi asserted, emphasizing a no‑limits mindset for the national side. When asked about the likely favourites, he acknowledged the depth of the field but insisted his team belongs there. "I think there are several. Are we one of them? I think the Ivory Coast is one, or at least we can be," he affirmed. Wahi’s departure leaves Nice with a void in attack as they prepare for the next season, but the club’s management expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt. The striker’s exit also highlights the growing influence of African talent in European leagues, underscoring the dual responsibilities many players balance between club and country. The Ivory Coast will begin their World Cup campaign with a group‑stage match later this month, and Wahi’s form heading into the tournament suggests he could be a key figure for the Elephants. "We will do everything to do just that," he concluded, vowing to give his all for the national side.