Mohamed Abdelmonem included in Nice squad for second successive match

Mohamed Abdelmonem has been named in the Nice squad for the second consecutive Ligue 1 match as they prepare to face Paris FC in the second round of the French top flight.

The game will take place at the Jean Bouin stadium, with Nice manager Olivier Pantaloni selecting the Egypt international among his defensive options for the fixture.

Abdelmonem made his return to competitive football in Nice’s opening match of the season against Lorient, coming on in the 88th minute. His appearance ended an absence of 484 days.

The 27-year-old missed the entirety of last season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury. He did not play a single match for Nice during that campaign and was also not involved in any of the club’s friendly matches during their pre-season preparations, limiting his participation to rehabilitation training.

Despite his extended lay-off, Abdelmonem has now been included in the squad for consecutive Ligue 1 fixtures. Nice began the season with a goalless draw against Lorient at home and will be seeking their first win when they meet Paris FC.

Pantaloni’s full Nice squad is:

Goalkeepers: Teddy Boulhendi, Yevann Diouf.

Defenders: Mohamed Abdelmonem, Melvin Bard, Jonathan Clauss, Hamza Kouton, Antoine Mendy, Youssouf Ndayishimiye.

Midfielders: Moran, Axel Witsel, Isaga Kamara, Djibril Coulibaly, Everton Pereira, Junior Mandza, Sofiane Diop.

Forwards: Elye Wahi, Isak Jansson, Nathan Ngoumou, Zoumana Diallo.

Abdelmonem joined Nice from Al Ahly in the 2024-25 season and has made 19 appearances for the French club since completing that move.

His return also comes after he was included in the Egypt squad for the 2026 World Cup. Egypt’s campaign in the tournament ended in the last 16 with a defeat by Argentina.

The defender’s latest appearance against Lorient was his first competitive outing for Nice since his lengthy spell on the sidelines. He had been absent from the club’s squad throughout the previous season because of the serious knee injury before beginning the process of returning to first-team football.

Nice will now hope Abdelmonem can continue to build up his match fitness as they look to improve on the point gained in their opening fixture. Paris FC represent their next challenge in the second round of the league season, with Abdelmonem available as part of a squad containing six defensive options.