Football - OGC Nice: Yehvann Diouf's lack of playtime
After the victory at the AFCON 2025 with Senegal, Yehvann Diouf faces the harsh reality at OGC Nice. The goalkeeper is cruelly lacking playing time. He is no longer the number one choice in the cages of the Aiglons.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Once indisputable shot stopper at OGC Nice, Yehvann Diouf has lost everything since his return from the African Cup of Nations. Everything changed for him with the departure of Franck Haise and the appointment of Claude Puel.
Last four Ligue 1 matches on the bench
Having left OGC Nice for the AFCON 2025 as a starter, Yehvann Diouf has returned with a new status. Since the appointment of Claude Puel as coach on December 29, 2025, the hierarchy of goalkeepers has completely changed. The Senegalese goalkeeper has been downgraded. He is on a 4-match streak in Ligue 1 as a substitute. Maxime Dupé, the 32-year-old French goalkeeper, being systematically preferred to him.
Since the 19th game week, Diouf hasn’t made any appearances in Ligue 1. Against FC Nantes, Stade Brestois, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais, it was from the bench that he followed Aiglons' matches. The 26-year-old doorman is clearly not Puel's first choice.
His last match for Nice was on February 4th against Montpellier in the Coupe de France. As for in Ligue 1, he played his last match against RC Lens, on December 14, 2025. Before being relegated to the bench, Yehvann Diouf played 25 games for 48 goals conceded and only 2 clean sheets under the Azuré jersey.
A spot for the 2026 World Cup at stake?
Second goalkeeper behind Edouard Mendy with Senegal, Yehvann Diouf is currently in a hurry. The 26-year-old goalkeeper no longer has playing time and this could have repercussions on his place in the national team. The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.
In Senegal, with Mory Diaw, Bengourou Kamara or even Seny Dieng, the tickets are extremely expensive. Yehvann Diouf must reverse this situation and regain his starting position at OGC Nice to stay in the plans of coach Pape Thiaw. Because the status of winner of the AFCON 2025 in Morocco is not a guarantee of a guaranteed place for the World Cup.