Olympique Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca has raised concerns about the readiness of Ghana international Ernest Nuamah ahead of their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Angers, casting doubt over the winger’s immediate return to action.
Nuamah has been out of action for nearly a year after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a league game against Lille OSC, a setback that ruled him out of the remainder of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the entire 2025/26 season so far.
Although the former FC Nordsjælland star has resumed training, Fonseca revealed that the attacker is still struggling to regain full confidence after his long injury layoff.
“Ernest Nuamah? He’s a player who still lacks confidence due to his long injury,” the Portuguese coach admitted ahead of the Angers clash.
Fonseca also highlighted how much the team has missed the Ghanaian’s presence, stressing his ability to make a difference on the pitch.
“Teams are stronger when there’s competition in every position. When I see Ernest on the field, I think that’s the kind of player who makes the difference and whose absence hurts,” he added.
While Nuamah may not be ready to feature against Angers, there is growing optimism that he could make his long-awaited return in Lyon’s next fixture against Lorient.
His potential comeback will be a major boost not only for his club but also for Ghana, as the Black Stars continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
