The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed a significant setback for the defending champions on Friday, December 19, announcing that star striker Sébastien Haller will miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to a hamstring injury. This development, shared via an official federation statement, removes a pivotal figure from the Elephants’ quest for a historic fourth continental title.
Haller, 31, is not just any player for Ivory Coast; he is the talismanic hero of their 2023 triumph. His winning goal in the final cemented his legendary status. The injury occurred during a Dutch Eredivisie match for his club, FC Utrecht, against NAC Breda on December 14. A hamstring strain, one of the most common yet debilitating injuries in football, typically involves a tear in the muscle fibers at the back of the thigh, severely limiting explosive speed and power—key attributes for a center-forward.
Utrecht coach Ron Jans provided a sobering prognosis post-match, indicating a recovery timeline of “approximately six weeks.” This period directly conflicts with the AFCON 2025 tournament window, making his withdrawal a medical inevitability rather than a selection gamble. The FIF’s decision to rule him out early provides clarity for the squad but underscores the profound loss.
In response, the federation has called up Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand as his replacement. This represents a strategic shift: while Haller is a classic target man and clinical finisher, Guessand offers different attributes, likely relying more on pace and movement. Coach Emerse Faé must now reconfigure his attacking strategy, potentially altering the team’s tactical identity just weeks before the tournament.
Haller’s emotional message on Instagram, “More than disappointed not to be able to accompany my brothers… I will be behind you and the country no matter what to go and get that 4th star,” highlights the personal devastation for a player whose international career has been defined by AFCON glory. The federation’s public wishes for a “speedy recovery” reinforce his valued status within the national setup.
This injury has a dual impact: For Ivory Coast, it’s a major strategic blow. For Haller and FC Utrecht, it means an extended period of rehabilitation, with the player remaining at his club to focus on recovery, missing a pinnacle event in the football calendar.
The defending champions face a daunting path in Group F, dubbed a “Group of Death.” They open against Mozambique on December 24, before a colossal clash with regional rivals Cameroon on December 28, and conclude the group stage against Gabon on December 31. Haller’s absence removes a proven big-game scorer, placing immense pressure on other forwards like Nicolas Pépé and Jean-Philippe Krasso to step up.
Source: Afp