Ernest Nuamah returns from injury for Lyon following 391 days sidelined
Following a 391 day absence from competitive matches and 54 games missed with his club and national team, Ernest Nuamah finally made his comeback on Sunday.
The Ghanaian forward entered as a substitute in the closing six minutes during Olympique Lyonnais's 4-2 triumph against Rennes at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Nuamah took the place of Brazilian striker Endrick in the 84th minute, greeted enthusiastically by the supporters as he took to the field for the first occasion since his severe knee problem more than a year earlier.
The setback that changed everything
The 22 year old has been out of action since April 5th, 2025, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a 2-1 victory over Lille. This was a harsh setback for a player enjoying strong performances.
Overall, he sat out 54 fixtures for both club and international duty, encompassing key World Cup qualification games for Ghana.
Throughout his recovery, Nuamah stayed dedicated. In one social media update amid rehab, he shared: "A man who has endured the storm will not dread the rain. He has confronted the toughest fights and remains resilient. Guide me to the starting line. It will happen soon, very soon."
The comeback moment
Lyon claimed a vital 4-2 win against Rennes in a lively Ligue 1 match, boosting their chances of qualifying for Champions League football in the upcoming season.
Even with minimal playing time, the Ghanaian displayed positive indicators by demanding the ball and attempting to beat defenders.
This outcome propelled Lyon to third in the Ligue 1 standings with two fixtures remaining. For Nuamah, his focus is on gaining as much game time as feasible to regain match fitness and aim to persuade the new Black Stars manager Carlos Queiroz of his worth for Ghana's 26 player World Cup roster.
The definitive squad list is due by June 1st, leaving Nuamah a short window to demonstrate his readiness. Ghana are drawn in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia, kicking off their tournament against Panama in Toronto on June 17th.