AFCON 2025: Ivory Coast to defend continental crown without Sébastien Haller

Ivory Coast will begin their title defence at the Africa Cup of Nations without Sébastien Haller after the striker was ruled out through injury, dealing a significant setback to the reigning champions just weeks before the tournament begins.

The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed on Friday that Haller will not be available for selection after sustaining a thigh injury during his most recent appearance for FC Utrecht on December 14.

The federation described the forward as unavailable for the competition, bringing an abrupt end to hopes that he could recover in time to feature in Morocco.

Haller was one of the defining figures of Ivory Coast’s triumphant 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and his absence removes a central pillar of the squad that lifted the trophy.

His goals proved decisive at crucial moments, including the solitary strike in the semi-final against DR Congo and another vital contribution in the final victory over Nigeria.

Those performances elevated him to hero status among Ivorian supporters and made him one of the most recognisable faces of the tournament.

The injury leaves head coach Emerse Faé with little room for manoeuvre as he reshapes his attacking options ahead of the defence of the title.

In response, the coaching staff have moved quickly to adjust the squad, drafting in Evann Guessand, who had originally been named among the standby players.

Guessand, currently on the books at Aston Villa and previously with Nice, now steps into the squad as Haller’s replacement.

Guessand brings international experience of his own, having earned 15 caps for Ivory Coast and scored twice at senior level.

While his profile differs from that of Haller, the coaching staff will hope his pace and versatility can help compensate for the loss of a proven tournament match-winner.

His inclusion reflects the need for adaptability as Ivory Coast seek to balance continuity with necessary change.

Haller’s withdrawal is not the only challenge facing the defending champions.

Several players who featured prominently in the previous edition will also be missing from the squad this time.

Simon Adingra, Nicolas Pépé and Wilfried Singo are among those absent, further underlining the scale of the transition the team must manage as they prepare for the competition.

Despite these setbacks, expectations remain high for Ivory Coast, whose recent continental success has reinforced their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.

However, the absence of key figures from the title-winning side places added pressure on both established internationals and those stepping into more prominent roles.

The Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco, will test the depth and resilience of the Elephants as they attempt to retain their crown without the man who symbolised their last triumph.

For Haller, the focus will turn to recovery, while for Ivory Coast, attention now shifts to forging a new path in pursuit of back-to-back continental glory.