Less than a month before the highly anticipated African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2023 in Ivory Coast, Jean-Louis Gasset, who had seemingly faded into obscurity, is compelled to relinquish his chances of participating in the prestigious football event.
Gasset’s international tally stands at 13 caps, accompanied by a solitary goal scored for the Elephants. Jean Evrard Kouassi, initially called up in March 2021 and subsequently left out by former coach Patrice Beaumelle, had become a regular feature of the Ivorian national team until November 2022.
During the initial matches of the last season, Kouassi showcased his versatility, being deployed in various attacking positions and even in midfield, contributing significantly with six assists.
However, Gasset, at 70 years old, made the unexpected decision to exclude Kouassi from the squad. Despite a brief call-up for a 28-minute appearance against Zambia (3-0) in June, the talented player found himself overlooked by the seasoned coach.
While hopes of Kouassi’s inclusion in the CAN 2023 squad were dwindling, the final blow came through a heartfelt announcement on his official Instagram account.
The Ivorian forward disclosed that he underwent a heel operation, a persistent issue he had been grappling with “for some years.” This surgical intervention is expected to render him unavailable for several weeks, potentially extending to several months.
The unfortunate timing of the operation not only dashes Kouassi’s hopes of participating in the upcoming AFCON but also places a question mark over his return to the pitch in the near future. The Ivorian football fraternity wishes the talented player a swift and successful recovery.
