Ghana: DEVASTATING blow for Lens as Samson Baidoo ruled out of French Cup final

Lens have suffered a major setback ahead of the Coupe de France final after defender Samson Baidoo was ruled out following a serious thigh injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain.

The centre-back was forced off shortly after the hour mark during the match against PSG, with the injury now confirmed to be severe enough to end his hopes of featuring in the final against Nice at the Stade de France on 22 May.

Baidoo’s absence comes as another significant blow in a difficult season for the defender, who had already spent long periods on the sidelines earlier in the campaign because of hamstring problems.

The Austrian international missed matches in both January and April, raising concerns over his physical condition and consistency during a demanding season.

His recurring fitness struggles also created challenges for Lens manager Pierre Sage, who had to repeatedly adjust his defensive setup during key periods of the campaign.

The team’s performances reportedly suffered during Baidoo’s previous absences, underlining the importance of the defender within the squad since his arrival from Salzburg last summer.

The latest injury means Lens will travel to Paris for the cup final without one of their most experienced defensive figures at a crucial stage of the season.

With preparations continuing ahead of the meeting with Nice, attention is now turning to the alternatives available in the back line.

Ismaëlo Ganiou, Malang Sarr and young defender Kylian Antonio are among the players who could be selected to replace Baidoo in the starting side.

The coaching staff will now have to decide how to reorganise the defence for one of the club’s most important fixtures of the season.

The Coupe de France final is scheduled to take place at the Stade de France on Friday, 22 May, with kick-off set for 21:00 local time.

Lens had been hoping to approach the occasion with a full squad available, but Baidoo’s injury has altered those plans significantly.

The defender’s condition also raises uncertainty beyond club football.

While no timetable has been announced for his recovery, questions remain over whether he will be fit in time to participate in the upcoming World Cup with Austria.

Baidoo’s situation is likely to be monitored closely in the coming weeks, both by Lens and by the Austrian national team, given the importance of the defender at international level.

However, there has so far been no official indication regarding the expected duration of his absence.

For Lens, the immediate concern is preparing for the final without a player who had become a central figure in defence since joining from Salzburg.

His absence leaves the club facing a difficult challenge against Nice in a match that carries major significance for the season.

The injury also adds to the sense of frustration surrounding Baidoo’s campaign, with repeated physical setbacks preventing him from maintaining continuity throughout the year.

Despite showing his value when available, his progress has repeatedly been interrupted by injury problems.

Lens must now attempt to finish their season strongly without one of their key defenders, while uncertainty continues over when Baidoo will be able to return to competitive action.