FC Nantes are edging closer to relegation danger in Ligue 1 after a late defeat to Stade Rennais in a tense western derby, despite another goal from Cameroonian forward Ignatius Ganago.
The result leaves Nantes 17th in the table on 20 points, five points behind AJ Auxerre, who currently sit just outside the relegation zone with 25 points.
With only three matches remaining, the pressure on the Canaries to avoid the drop is intensifying sharply.
The derby was a match of shifting momentum and late drama, but it ultimately ended in frustration for Nantes, who were unable to protect their equaliser and fell to a late Rennes winner.
For Ganago, the match once again highlighted his importance in an otherwise difficult season for the club.
The striker, who has now scored two goals in 11 league appearances, provided one of Nantes’ key moments in the game when he brought them level just before half-time.
After conceding an early penalty, Nantes struggled initially but gradually worked their way back into the contest.
Ganago’s intervention came at a crucial point, as he calmly finished with a composed lob to restore parity and briefly shift momentum in favour of the home side.
His goal reflected a period of sustained pressure from Nantes, who had responded well to their early setback and created several openings before finally breaking through.
At that stage, there was renewed belief inside the stadium that the match could swing in their favour.
However, despite the lift provided by the equaliser, Nantes were unable to maintain control in the second half.
Rennes, showing greater efficiency in key moments, regained their composure and eventually struck late to secure all three points.
The defeat underlines a persistent issue for Nantes this season: an inability to manage critical phases of matches.
While they have occasionally shown resilience and attacking intent, lapses in concentration and inconsistency have repeatedly cost them valuable points.
Even individual contributions such as Ganago’s have not been enough to alter the club’s downward trajectory.
The forward’s effort stood out on a night where Nantes once again failed to convert performance into results.
The situation in the league table now leaves little room for error.
Nantes remain just above the relegation zone, but the gap to safety has become increasingly precarious as the season reaches its final stretch. With only three fixtures left, every point is now vital.
AJ Auxerre, currently the closest team above them, hold a five-point advantage, placing Nantes under significant pressure to produce results quickly if they are to preserve their top-flight status.
The defeat to Rennes represents another missed opportunity in a campaign defined by narrow margins and late setbacks.
For Nantes, the challenge now is not only to improve performances but to find points urgently, or risk slipping into Ligue 2.
