Ivory Coast lose Hoffenheim star Touré Bazoumana for friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Oman

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has confirmed the unavailability of TSG Hoffenheim star Touré Bazoumana for the upcoming friendly matches.

As part of preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Elephants will take on Saudi Arabia and Oman to determine the readiness of the team for the much-anticipated tournament to be staged in Morocco.

Bazoumana, who was initially named in Emerse Fae’s squad for the games will not join the team due to administrative issues.

However, Emerse Fae has replaced the attacker with Paris FC marksman Jean Philippe Krasso, who has also been impressive in the current campaign.

Bazoumana, 19, has made 10 appearances in the German Bundesliga for Hoffenheim this season, scoring one goal and delivering four assists across the period.

Since making his debut for the Ivory Coast national team in October 2025, the winger has made just an appearance.

Emerse Fae is seeking to build a formidable squad capable of defending the Africa Cup of Nations title, having secured the title on home soil in the last edition.

The 35^th edition of the AFCON tournament has been scheduled to take place in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.