Veteran coach Antoine Kombouaré secured a winning debut with Paris FC after a crucial 1-0 home victory against Nice in Ligue 1 action.
Key Details
Zimbabwe midfielder Marshall Munetsi scored the decisive goal midway through the first half, lifting Paris FC to 14th place in the league standings. Nice dropped to 15th following the defeat.
The 62-year-old former defender has now taken charge of his 10th club as coach. Four years ago, he guided Nantes to survival from relegation and a French Cup triumph.
"The victory is beautiful because it was built on suffering and pain. Nice caused us a lot of problems; we were sometimes on the limit, but we didn't crack," Kombouaré said. "This match was about recovery, about redemption, about fightback."
Paris FC faces challenging away fixtures next at Lyon and Strasbourg.
Around the League
Lille 1-0 Nantes: Defender Nathan Ngoy scored a stoppage-time winner three days after his decisive goal in extra time secured Lille's Europa League qualification. The Belgian converted from a right-sided corner to keep Lille in fifth place, while Nantes remains 17th.
Metz 0-1 Brest: Rock-bottom Metz lost at home to Brest despite the visitors playing with 10 men for most of the first half after left back Daouda Guindo received a red card. Striker Ludovic Ajorque scored the winning goal. Metz's two main Ultras groups, Horda Frénétik and Gruppa Metz, held a protest march before the match as relegation looms.
Lorient 2-2 Auxerre: Senegal striker Bamba Dieng scored twice as Lorient fought back from deficits to earn a draw. Defender Marvin Senaya opened scoring in the first minute, and Haiti forward Josué Casimir netted Auxerre's second goal.