Nice, France — Sierra Leone centre-back Juma Bah, on loan from Manchester City, took to the pitch for the first time in OGC Nice colours during a pre-season friendly against Cercle Brugge at the Complexe Sportif on Saturday.
Despite it being just a friendly, Bah’s debut carried weight. The towering 19-year-old, standing at 1.95 meters, helped stabilize Nice’s backline before the official Ligue 1 campaign. His defensive acumen was a key component of a disciplined performance that contributed to Nice’s 2–1 victory.
Bah, a full international with two caps for Sierra Leone and the first from his nation to play in La Liga during his stint at Real Valladolid, arrived at OGC Nice on 25 June after a successful loan period at RC Lens.
Nice sporting director Florian Maurice emphasized that Bah had been closely monitored: “He performed very well during his time at Lens. The data backs that up. He’s young, full of potential, and we believe he’ll quickly adapt to the manager’s style of play”.
Nice president Jean‑Pierre Rivère added that adding Bah was timely: “We had two major defensive injuries at the end of last season. Having Juma here from the start of pre‑season will help his integration”.
After the match, Bah expressed his gratitude and optimism: “I know this team and the league well from my time at Lens. The coach has a very precise, attacking philosophy — even for defenders. I’m proud to be part of this project \[…] with big games coming early, it’s important we hit the ground running”.
The 2–1 victory sets a positive tone for Nice as they prepare for their competitive season. Bah’s reassuring debut suggests he could become a significant asset in the club’s defensive setup.
