MUSCAT: Al Nahda have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2026-27 football season by signing former Cameroon international Petrus Boumal on a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old defensive midfielder joins the Buraimi-based club from Iraqi Stars League side Diyala, where he spent the latter part of the 2025-2026 season after moving to the club in January. Before his spell in Iraq, Boumal featured in the UAE during the 2024-2025 season, having previously represented Al Bataeh.
Born in Yaounde on April 20, 1993, the left-footed midfielder brings extensive experience from a career spanning several European and Middle Eastern leagues. He developed through the youth system at French club Sochaux before making his Ligue 1 debut in a goalless draw against Dijon in December 2011.
Boumal later moved to Bulgaria, where he represented Litex Lovech and CSKA Sofia, before joining Russian Premier League side Ural Yekaterinburg in 2017. He went on to play for BB Erzurumspor in Türkiye, Nizhny Novgorod in Russia and Hungarian club Ujpest before continuing his career in the Gulf region.
At international level, Boumal represented Cameroon at Under-20 level in 2013 and received his first senior national team call-up in 2017. He later made his senior debut in Cameroon’s 2-2 draw with Zambia in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier in November of the same year.
Primarily deployed as a holding midfielder, Boumal is expected to add physical presence, tactical discipline and experience to Al Nahda’s midfield. His ability to protect the defence, regain possession and support the team’s build-up play provides head coach Scott Calderwood with an experienced option in the centre of the pitch.
The signing forms part of Al Nahda’s preparations for a demanding campaign that will include the Jindal League and AFC Champions League Two. Al Nahda enter the new season as holders of His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup after defeating Oman Club 2-0 in the 2025-2026 final.
Boumal has already joined Al Nahda’s training sessions and is working with the squad as preparations intensify for the upcoming domestic and continental competitions. His early involvement will allow the technical staff to integrate him into the team’s tactical plans ahead of the start of the new season.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
