Ghana have been handed a potential setback ahead of their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia, with winger Ernest Nuamah a major doubt after suffering a muscle injury at French club Lyon.
The 23-year-old has been struggling with a muscle strain, raising concerns about his availability for the Black Stars’ two important encounters as they attempt to revive their disappointing qualifying campaign.
Nuamah’s fitness concerns became apparent after he was left out of Lyon’s UEFA Europa League clash against Real Sociedad on Thursday night.
Lyon’s interim manager, Jorge Maciel, subsequently confirmed that the Ghanaian winger was among two players dealing with muscle problems, with his availability for Sunday’s Ligue 1 fixture against Brest still uncertain.
“They’ve suffered muscle strains,” Maciel said, referring to Nuamah and teammate Moussa Niakhaté.
“We hope to have them back for Sunday’s match in Brest. We’re waiting for an update; we don’t yet know if they’ll be fit or not. We’ll see how things are progressing when we return to Lyon,” he added.
Nuamah’s possible absence will be a concern for Ghana, particularly given the importance of the upcoming fixtures.
The former FC Nordsjælland forward has enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2026/27 season, establishing himself as an important attacking option for Lyon.
He has made 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing one assist. His pace, direct approach and ability to trouble defenders have made him a valuable asset for the French side.
For Ghana, losing a player in such form would be an unwelcome development at a time when the team desperately needs attacking inspiration.
The Black Stars have endured a difficult start to their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, suffering a 2-0 defeat to neighbours Ivory Coast in Bouaké before dropping further points against The Gambia on home soil.
Those results have left Ghana bottom of Group C, increasing the pressure on the team to deliver positive results against Somalia.
The two sides are scheduled to meet twice this month, with the opening encounter set to take place at the Essipong Stadium before the return fixture.
With maximum points essential to Ghana’s hopes of getting their campaign back on track, the Black Stars technical team will be monitoring Nuamah’s recovery closely.
His fitness could prove crucial as the Black Stars look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of two fixtures that could have a significant bearing on their qualification ambitions.
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