Terem Moffi: Nigeria and OGC Nice forward returns to training after 8-month absence

OGC Nice forward Terem Moffi has returned to first-team training, 247 days after his last competitive appearance, taking a significant step in his recovery from a serious ACL injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria international, 25, had been sidelined since pre-season, missing the entire 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign so far.

However, on Wednesday, Moffi was back on the pitch at Nice’s training ground, taking part in a session that was open to the public.

Terem Moffi’s gradual return to full training

Moffi’s return was confirmed by L’Équipe journalist Romain Lafont, who reported that the striker completed the warm-up and participated in passing drills with teammates before finishing the session with an individual workout alongside a club staff member.

Terem Moffi et Morgan Sanson présents à l’entraînement collectif de Nice ce mercredi. pic.twitter.com/DWeVz896VO

— Romain Lafont (@RomainRlafont) February 12, 2025

It was a welcome sight for the 200 supporters in attendance, who watched as the Super Eagles forward cautiously reintroduced himself to group activities.

Nice’s medical team is expected to manage his recovery carefully, with Moffi likely to ease back into full training over the coming weeks.

Moffi last featured for Nice on May 19, 2024, in a 2-2 draw against Lille, while his last outing for Nigeria came in a World Cup qualifier on June 10, when he played 51 minutes in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.

Delighted to score my first and second goal(s) for @NGSuperEagles. pic.twitter.com/Ri73tne13O

— Terem Moffi (@7erem_) June 14, 2022

Moffi had initially been set for a return in pre-season. However, he suffered a devastating ACL rupture in late July, further delaying his comeback. In total, he has now been out of action for eight months and two days.

Terem Moffi: Key man for OGC Nice

Moffi was a key figure for Nice last season, featuring in 30 Ligue 1 matches, scoring 11 goals, and providing two assists.

Since joining Nice from Lorient—initially on loan in January 2023 before making the move permanent that summer—he has proven to be one of the club’s most reliable attacking threats.

His Ligue 1 career, which began in October 2020 with Lorient, has seen him score 51 goals and provide 11 assists in 133 appearances.

Remarkably, despite his aggressive playing style, Moffi has never been sent off in the competition, collecting only 10 yellow cards.

Nice’s next Ligue 1 fixture is an away trip to Le Havre on February 16. While Moffi’s return to training is encouraging, he is unlikely to be rushed back into competitive action.

The club will adopt a cautious approach, ensuring he regains full fitness before making his long-awaited return to the pitch.