Christian Kouamé’s participation in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been thrown into serious doubt following a major knee injury sustained in Serie A last weekend.
The Ivorian striker, a member of the Elephants squad that lifted the continental title earlier this year on home soil, suffered a cruciate ligament tear during Empoli’s clash with Cagliari in the 31st round of the Italian top flight.
Kouamé was forced off the pitch in the 70th minute, and subsequent scans confirmed the severity of the damage.
“Empoli Football Club announces that the medical examinations carried out by the player Christian Kouamé, who came off during the match against Cagliari, have revealed an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” read an official statement from the club.
The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Empoli from Fiorentina, having joined in January in a bid to revive his career.
Kouamé had been hoping to rediscover his best form in Tuscany, starting five of his nine appearances and scoring once since arriving late in the winter transfer window.
However, his progress has been abruptly halted by this long-term injury, with recovery from such a setback typically requiring several months. With just seven matches remaining in Empoli’s season, his campaign is effectively over.
The timing could hardly be worse, with AFCON 2025 in Morocco now looming on the horizon. Scheduled to take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the tournament may come too soon for Kouamé, whose path back to full fitness could be a lengthy one.
Despite being a part of the Ivory Coast’s triumphant squad earlier this year, Kouamé has had limited involvement with the national team since then.
He was handed just four minutes off the bench in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Zambia on 6 September 2024, and has not featured in the Elephants’ plans since.
His international record currently stands at 30 caps and three goals, but with competition for attacking places intensifying and his availability now in serious doubt, Kouamé’s hopes of reclaiming a regular role under Ivory Coast’s coaching staff are facing a significant setback.
The injury not only puts a dent in Kouamé’s aspirations for the national team, but also disrupts what was a crucial period in his club career.
After struggling for game time at Fiorentina, the forward sought a fresh start at Empoli, and while his minutes on the pitch were limited, he had shown glimpses of his ability.
Now, attention will shift to his recovery process and whether he can return in time to make a late push for inclusion in the Elephants’ AFCON 2025 squad. As it stands, however, the chances of seeing the former Genoa and Anderlecht man in Morocco appear slim.
Forza Christian💪
Empoli Football Club comunica che gli accertamenti strumentali a cui è stato sottoposto il calciatore Christian Kouamè, uscito durante la gara contro il Cagliari, hanno evidenziato la lesione del legamento crociato anteriore del ginocchio destro pic.twitter.com/exUGP1G92F
— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) April 8, 2025
