OGC Nice fear ACL injury for Mohamed Abdelmonem

It has been a difficult first season in France for Mohamed Abdelmonem (26) and it looks set to end on a sour note. The centre-back, leaving his native Egypt for the first time, joined OGC Nice in the summer, however, has yet to display the level of performance that made him such a coveted defender. 

“The language barrier remains a real problem, even if he is progressing. He is in a good moment but it is logical given the adaptation time needed,” said his manager, Franck Haise, during a press conference attended by Get French Football News on Thursday. 

Abdelmonem started against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday at the Parc des Princes. Le Gym became the first team to beat PSG in Ligue 1 this season as they bolstered their chances of UEFA Champions League qualification for next season. However, Abdelmonem’s injury was a sour note in an otherwise idyllic evening for Haise’s side. 

He came off in the 67th minute after a duel with Fabián Ruiz. He was forced off on a stretcher and in tears and it is feared that the former Al-Ahly defender has suffered an ACL injury. “It doesn’t seem reassuring,” said Haise post-match. He will undergo tests in the coming days. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle