Hamza Igamane resumes ball training as Lille comeback gathers pace

Yesterday 12:24

Morocco international Hamza Igamane has moved closer to a return to competitive football after resuming ball-based training as part of his rehabilitation at Lille.

The French club recently shared footage of the 23-year-old forward working individually with the ball at its training facility, offering a fresh indication of progress after several months away from action.

The session represents an important phase in Igamane’s recovery, although it does not yet signal an immediate return to competitive matches. His rehabilitation programme remains gradual, with the next objective being to rebuild his physical capacity before eventually joining group training.

Recovery follows serious knee injury

Igamane has been sidelined since suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The injury forced him into an extended rehabilitation programme and kept him out of Morocco’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Since the injury, the striker has worked under the supervision of Lille’s medical and technical teams as he has gradually rebuilt his fitness.

The transition to exercises involving the ball is part of that progression. It allows the forward to reintroduce football-specific movements while continuing to monitor the recovery of his injured knee.

A gradual path back to competition

For Lille, the priority remains ensuring that Igamane completes each stage of his recovery before returning to full team training.

The Moroccan forward is expected to continue with an individual programme before moving toward sessions alongside his teammates. Only after completing those stages will a return to official competition become possible.

Such a process is particularly important following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which generally requires a carefully managed return to high-intensity sporting activity.

Morocco also monitoring his progress

Igamane’s recovery is being followed closely in Morocco, where he has emerged as an international option in attack.

His prolonged absence meant he missed the opportunity to represent the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup. A successful return would therefore give Morocco another attacking option as the national team continues its international programme.

For now, the images released by Lille provide a visible marker of progress rather than a definitive return date.

Igamane’s latest ball session shows that his rehabilitation has entered a new phase. The next steps will depend on how his knee responds to increased workloads and when the Lille medical staff consider him ready to resume collective training and, eventually, competitive football.