With just a few days to go before the start of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the whole of Côte d’Ivoire is holding its breath for Sébastien Haller. The Elephants’ regular striker is suffering from an injury and is expected to miss the Confederation of African Football competition. While the FIF (Fédération Ivoirienne de Football) and Je
an Louis Gasset are still waiting for a miracle, Haller himself has just broken his silence.
It’s bad news that Côte d’Ivoire is still trying to digest. There is a big risk that Sébastien Haller will miss the 2023 African Cup of Nations on home soil. The 29-year-old Ivorian striker came on as a substitute just after the hour mark against Mainz in the Bundesliga on Tuesday, but quickly gave up his place after being tackled.
The former Hammer suffered an ankle injury, and the news quickly shocked all the Ivorians, who would have liked to see a full squad at home for the 2023 African Cup of Nations. Sébastien Haller immediately returned to Abidjan to have his injury diagnosed. The Ivorian Football Federation even provided him with a physiotherapist to help him recover quickly.
But time is running out and the news is still not very good. According to Afrik-foot, the player has even informed Jean Louis Gasset, the Elephants’ national coach, and the FIF that he is not expected to be operational before the 2023 African Cup of Nations. His return date has been set for mid-February, although no official statement has been issued by Borussia Dortmund or the Ivorian Football Federation.
Sébastien Haller breaks his silence with 20 days to go before CAN 2023
Sébastien Haller has been in Abidjan for several days following his club injury, and is continuing his recovery. And contrary to reports circulating that the striker will not be able to play, Haller himself is optimistic about his participation in the next Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2023, which will be held in his homeland, Côte d’Ivoire, from 13 January to 11 February 2024.
Interviewed by RFI on Saturday on the sidelines of a UNICEF match for which he is patron, Sébastien Haller admits that it’s not a big deal if it allows him to do other things before the 2023 African Cup of Nations. He says his spirits are high and that he needs to move forward without feeling sorry for himself.
“It doesn’t matter if it allows me to do other things. Everyone has their share of obstacles and trials. It’s not a question of seeing who suffers the most. Everyone has their trials, everyone overcomes them as best they can and then we move on. Morale is always good. I can’t complain. There are always worse things. There’s always better. At some point, you have to move on and be aware of what you have, while trying to improve your daily life. But feeling sorry for yourself is never the right solution,” said Sébastien Haller.
Côte d’Ivoire eagerly awaited at CAN 2023
Since winning the trophy for the second time in 2015, Côte d’Ivoire have failed to make an impression at the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Two years ago, the Elephants were knocked out in the Round of 16 in Cameroon on penalties by Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
For this 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Jean Louis Gasset’s team are aiming to break the curse and go from strength to strength in order to give themselves a chance of the final title. Naturally, they will be favourites given that they are playing at home in front of their fans.
Sébastien Haller and his team-mates want to give their all to make millions of Ivorians proud. But first they have to get out of Group A with Nigeria, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
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