M’Bala Nzola on the Brink at RC Lens – Exit Looms Amid Poor Form and Discipline Woes

M’Bala Nzola’s loan spell at RC Lens is spiraling into disaster. The 28-year-old Angolan striker, on loan from Fiorentina, arrived with high hopes but is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

From Red Cards to Reserve Squad

Nzola’s decline reached a low on February 23, when he was sent off against FC Nantes after throwing the ball at the referee. The act earned him a two-match ban plus an additional suspended game, further weakening an already shaky Lens frontline.

Though he later apologized publicly on Instagram, admitting his mistake, his disciplinary woes didn’t end there. This past Saturday, Nzola showed up late to training, prompting coach Will Still to drop him to the reserves for the National 3 game against Pays de Cassel. As a result, he was completely left out of the squad for the 1-0 win over AS Saint-Étienne on April 6.

Coach Will Still Sends a Strong Message

Speaking after the Saint-Étienne match, Will Still didn’t hold back:

"There is a framework to respect. A line has been crossed. This has happened before, but you may not have noticed. If we don’t respect the rules, we won’t be part of the group."

His words underline what many believe is the final warning. With repeated disciplinary breaches and underwhelming performances, Nzola’s future at RC Lens looks all but over.