Injury Setbacks Challenge Hannover 96 as Mustapha Bundu Ruled Out of Upcoming Tests

Hannover 96 faces significant injury concerns ahead of their winter test matches in Turkey, with Mustapha Bundu ruled out due to an inner ligament tear. According to recent updates, Bundu, who had shown promise during training with the younger squad members, will miss the critical test matches against Duisburg and Mannheim. Coach Christian Titz confirmed that Bundu and Maik Nawrocki, sidelined with calf problems, will not participate in the upcoming fixtures. Other absentees include Ime Okon and Hayate Matsuda, both out with illness. Titz also reported a scare during training when defender Boris Tomiak experienced distress but continued after receiving treatment.

Bundu’s recovery remains cautious; though he may resume full training next week, he is unlikely to feature for the Rückrunden-Start against Kaiserslautern on January 18. The coaching staff emphasizes adapting their attacking strategy to break down defensively strong opponents, underscoring the importance of these friendly matches to assess player readiness ahead of the league restart. The team plans to conclude their Turkey trip with a social evening to welcome new signing Noah Weißhaupt before returning to Germany.

This injury situation contrasts with a nearby Bundesliga club, 1. FC Nürnberg, where Henri Koudossou is also sidelined with a ligament tear in his ankle. However, Koudossou, undergoing individual rehabilitation training, is expected to return to partial team training soon, though he will miss the season’s opening fixtures and likely rejoin by February. Coach Miroslav Klose stresses prioritizing full fitness over rushing his comeback.

As Hannover 96 looks to maintain momentum after its recent 3-0 win over Gladbach, managing player fitness amid injuries is crucial for sustained success.