Ivory Coast will be without star striker Sébastien Haller in their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers. The African champions are set to face Zambia on Friday, 6 September, followed by a trip to Chad on Tuesday, 10 September. However, the absence of Haller, one of the team’s key players, comes as a significant setback.
The 30-year-old forward, who recently completed a loan move from German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund to Spanish La Liga side CD Leganés, will miss the crucial matches due to the timing of his transfer.
Haller, who played a pivotal role in securing Ivory Coast’s 2023 AFCON title by scoring the winning goal in the final against Nigeria, was initially named in the squad for the upcoming qualifiers by national team coach Emerse Faé.
However, his move to Leganés during the closing hours of the summer transfer window means he will be unavailable as he settles into his new club.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed his withdrawal from the squad in an official statement.
“The Ivorian Football Federation informs the press and the public that Sébastien Haller, summoned by the national team coach Emerse Faé for the first and second matches of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, will be unavailable due to his recent transfer to another club,” the statement read.
The federation explained that Haller is required to remain with his new club for a medical examination and other formalities related to his transfer.
Consequently, he will not be available for Ivory Coast’s matches during this international window.
In Haller’s absence, the Ivorian national team has called up Jean-Philippe Krasso, who currently plays for French side Paris FC.
The 26-year-old forward is set to join the squad as a replacement and will be looking to make his mark in the qualifiers.
Krasso’s call-up offers him an opportunity to showcase his abilities on the international stage and potentially fill the void left by Haller.
“The Ivorian international has been replaced by Jean-Philippe Krasso for this FIFA window, which runs from 2 to 10 September 2024,” the federation’s statement added.
Ivory Coast will need to adjust their tactical approach without Haller, who has been a vital figure for the national team since his debut.
Despite the setback, the team remains confident as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
With a strong squad and the motivation to defend their AFCON title, the Elephants will aim to secure maximum points in their opening qualifiers.
As they take on Zambia at home, followed by the away fixture against Chad, all eyes will be on how Ivory Coast navigates the challenge without one of their star players.
The absence of Haller places added pressure on the rest of the squad to step up, and players like Krasso will be eager to seize the opportunity.
The road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco has begun, and Ivory Coast will be determined to ensure that Haller’s absence does not derail their qualification hopes.
