AFCON 2025: Haller Withdraws as Guessand Gets Ivory Coast Call-Up
Ivory Coast’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco have been dealt a significant blow with the withdrawal of Sébastien Haller from the tournament due to injury.
The FC Utretch striker, whose name is forever written in Ivorian football folklore, will miss the chance to defend the title he helped secure on home soil two years ago. Haller was the hero of the 2023 edition, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Nigeria to seal Côte d’Ivoire’s third AFCON crown and complete one of the most emotional triumphs in the nation’s sporting history.
His absence leaves a void not just in the Elephants’ attack, but also in the dressing room. Haller’s journey—from battling cancer to lifting the AFCON trophy—made him a symbol of resilience and belief for the squad and the country.
Head coach Emerse Faé has moved swiftly to reinforce his options, calling up Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand as Haller’s replacement. The 23-year-old earns a deserved opportunity on Africa’s biggest stage, offering pace, versatility, and fresh energy to an Ivorian side aiming to repeat its continental success.
For Guessand, the call-up represents a defining moment in his international career. Thrust into the spotlight under difficult circumstances, he now carries the hopes of a nation eager to see the Elephants roar once again in Morocco.
As Côte d’Ivoire chase a historic back-to-back AFCON title, the challenge is clear: move forward without their talisman, trust in the depth of the squad, and turn adversity into renewed motivation on the road to continental glory.