Stade Rennais demonstrated their renewed form with a 3-0 victory over AJ Auxerre in the 23rd round of Ligue 1. This win, secured on Sunday, February 22, 2026, marked a successful debut for Franck Haise as Rennes' coach.
The young Cameroonian international Mahamadou Nagida, in the starting lineup, was a key element in his team's defensive solidity. The 20-year-old, trained at the Brasseries du Cameroun academy, joined the Breton club in 2023.
The match swung in favor of Rennes in the first half. Mahdi Camara opened the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a ball parried by goalkeeper Donovan Léon following a breakthrough by Mahamadou Nagida. Two minutes later, Estéban Lepaul doubled the lead, before Camara scored his second goal just before halftime.
Auxerre, who were coming off a victory against Metz, failed to impose their game. Cameroonian forward Danny Namaso, on loan from FC Porto, could not prevent his defensive line from being shaky.
With this tenth victory of the season, Rennes is back in the race for Europe, sitting in 6th place with 37 points. Auxerre, meanwhile, finds itself in the first non-relegation spot. Christophe Pélissier's men will have to turn things around to stay in Ligue 1.
Nagida's assist on the first goal highlighted his offensive contribution. In 28 matches with Stade Rennais, Nagida has 2 goals and 0 assists.
Auxerre is 16th in Ligue 1. Rennes is 5th.
