Former Nigeria international Simon Zenke has urged his countryman Terem Moffi to pursue a move away from French club Nice in the January transfer window, SportPremi reports.
Moffi, 26, was named in the Super Eagles’ preliminary squad for the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament, but was excluded from the final squad and has handed in a transfer request in a bid to leave the club.
The Nigerian forward and club teammate Jeremie Boga were both given time away from action after they were assaulted by supporters in December 2025.
Both players were targeted during a massive confrontation following the club’s poor run of form and were punched and kicked on their way to the team bus after a 3-1 defeat to Lorient.
He joined the club in January 2023 from Lorient, going on to become an important member for the club, but is yet to return to action since the unfortunate incident.
Fellow Ligue One side Auxerre have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old and a deal could be finalized before the end of the winter transfer window.
Zenke urges Moffi to leave Nice
Simon Zenke, who also played for Nancy and Strasbourg in the French league during his career, has advised compatriot Moffi to seek a move away from Nice this month.
“Moffi has to leave the club for his personal and sporting interests, if you ask me what he should do. I have played in France and for you to succeed, your mind and heart have to be with your club”, Zenke revealed.
“I do not think he is in the right frame of mind or can even have the mindset to play for the club again after what happened to him. No one, not even a footballer, should be treated that way. It is a criminal offense, to be honest, because in football you cannot win all the time, and sometimes a club will go through a tough patch.
Violence does not solve anything. I want him to move to Auxerre if the deal is concrete. They are a good side and I think they need a striker like Moffi who can offer them a lot. The player has to play. He has missed a few games now and I hope to see him back on the pitch because I admire his game”, he concluded.
Where could Moffi end up before the transfer window shuts down?
With his career at Nice already coming to an end, Nigerian forward Moffi has been linked with a move to Auxerre, also in the French Ligue One.
The 26-year-old boasts a proven goalscoring record in the league and would add both experience and firepower as they prepare for a difficult season ahead.
Nantes and Paris FC have also expressed interest in securing his signature, but one thing is clear: the 26-year-old has already played his final game for Nice.
