Setback for Youssouf Ndayishimiye as injury relapse threatens return

OGC Nice midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye faces another frustrating setback after suffering a relapse of his hamstring injury, just days after his return to the squad.

Ndayishimiye, 26, had been recovering from the hamstring strain he sustained during an international fixture with Burundi against Senegal on November 19, part of the ongoing AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

The injury had already forced him to miss Nice’s Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg last weekend, but he was expected to make his comeback against Rangers in the Europa League on November 28.

Unfortunately, just 19 minutes into the match, the Burundian midfielder was forced to leave the field, signaling that his recovery may not be as complete as hoped.

Despite a promising start to his rehabilitation, Ndayishimiye now faces an uncertain period on the sidelines.

“We thought he was fully recovered,” said France Haise, Nice’s head coach. “He had resumed by doing part of the session on Tuesday, completed the whole session yesterday (Wednesday), and had done high-intensity individual training.

But during the match, he felt the same discomfort. That’s what he told us.”

This unfortunate relapse casts doubt on Ndayishimiye’s availability for Nice’s upcoming Ligue 1 clash against Lyon on December 2, potentially sidelining him for another critical period.

The setback is particularly tough for the midfielder, who had been an integral part of the squad, having appeared in 12 matches for the club so far this season, scoring one goal.

Ndayishimiye’s injury woes are now a major concern for the club, as his absence would leave a significant gap in midfield.

The club will monitor his recovery closely in the coming days to determine whether he can return to full fitness in time for the next fixture.

For Ndayishimiye, who had been working hard to regain form after his initial injury, this relapse is a bitter blow.

However, his determination to overcome the setback will be crucial as he aims to return to action and help his team in the coming weeks.