Having netted his first goal for Ligue 1 outfit Clermont in France’s top-flight football competition, Kevin Cowan, agent for Reggae Boyz striker Shamar “Boza” Nicholson, is now hopeful that his client will continue his form for the remainder of the season.

Nicholson, 26, who scored from the penalty spot in the 69th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Lorient, has become the first Jamaican to score in Ligue 1 in France.

The victory was significant for Clermont, who have now climbed from the bottom of the table to the 17th position in the 18-team competition. The goal came after seven matches since joining them on loan from Russian club Spartak Moscow at the end of August this year.

The former Boys’ Town player has also provided one assist for the French club.

Cowan expressed his delight with Nicholson’s achievements so far in the competition, emphasising that he hopes the talismanic striker will continue to excel in the league.

“I’m really happy for Shamar and his family that he was able to achieve such an honour because he fought incredibly hard and endured a lot to reach this level,” said Cowan. “The fact that the historic goal resulted in hard-fought 1-0 victory and gave the team three massive points made the moment even more special,” he added.

Cowan added that Nicholson has been adapting well to the challenges of France’s top league since his loan move from Spartak Moscow in the summer. He said Nicholson’s determination to repay Clermont for the faith they have shown in him was encouraging.

“Moving forward, Shamar simply wants to continue to adapt to the high level of the French League, perform at his maximum capacity, and repay the club for the confidence and trust that they’ve shown in him,” he said.

During his time in Russia, Nicholson featured in 30 games for Spartak Moscow across two seasons, scoring eight goals, three of which came in the 2022/23 Premier League season. Nicholson played for Boys’ Town FC in the Jamaica Premier League before moving to Domzale in Slovenia.

He later joined Sporting Charleroi in Belgium, followed by the switch to Spartak Moscow. The forward won the Russian Cup during his spell with Spartak. He has scored 10 goals in 33 appearances for the Reggae Boyz since making his debut for the national senior team in 2017.

Nicholson has been named in the Reggae Boyz’ 24-man squad to face Canada in their two-leg tie in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League competition. The first match is scheduled for the National Stadium on November 17, while the return game is set for Canada on November 21.