OGC Nice secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds for the 2024/25 season, a commendable achievement despite navigating a campaign plagued by extensive injury issues. The club hopes to recover, but the new season unfortunately appears to be commencing with similar personnel challenges.
As the club prepares to face SL Benfica in the third round of Champions League qualifying on August 6th, coach Franck Haise has confirmed a significant number of first-team players will be unavailable. Among those confirmed to miss the season`s opener are Mohamed Ali-Cho, Sofiane Diop, and Moïse Bombito. Diop, in particular, underwent surgery for a sports hernia in late June.
Adding to their woes, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem are sidelined after sustaining ACL injuries late last season. Tanguy Ndombélé is another key player undergoing recovery, having also had sports hernia surgery during the summer break.
“We are talking about six players who could start. There are also players that could leave, others that will arrive. Are we more armed? I don’t have the response,” Haise said. This highlights the uncertainty surrounding the team`s readiness for the challenging season ahead.
