French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon has confirmed that Ghanaian winger Ernest Nuamah has suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The injury, sustained during Lyon’s 2-1 victory over Lille this past weekend, will sideline the Black Stars attacker for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.
Nuamah was forced off just seven minutes into the match after going down awkwardly following a challenge. He was replaced by French international Rayan Cherki, who later scored the winning goal in the 70th minute, pushing Lyon to fourth in the Ligue 1 standings—firmly in contention for UEFA Champions League qualification.
“Olympique Lyon is saddened by the serious injury suffered by Ernest Nuamah, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Saturday evening. Good luck, Ernest,” read the club’s official statement released on Monday, April 7.
The 21-year-old winger has been a key figure for Lyon in his second season at the club after moving from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. His 2024-25 campaign has been impressive, registering six goals and two assists across 33 appearances in all competitions before the injury setback.
The timing of the injury is also a blow for Ghana’s national team as Nuamah had recently been instrumental in the Black Stars’ 5-0 thrashing of Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He scored one of the goals in that dominant display, helping Ghana maintain top position in Group I as they eye qualification for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Nuamah’s absence will be deeply felt by both club and country. For Lyon, it means losing a dynamic attacking option during a crucial phase of the season. For Ghana, it adds uncertainty ahead of key international fixtures.
Fans and teammates alike have flooded social media with messages of support, wishing Nuamah a speedy and successful recovery. His return is expected sometime in the next season, depending on the progress of his rehabilitation.
