Côte d’Ivoire’s attacking line-up continues to suffer from the death toll, with the CAN 2023 just around the corner.
Concern is at its height in the Elephants’ antechamber, with only 16 days to go until the opening match of the CAN at home to Guinea-Bissau (January 13, 2024).
With Sébastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo) and Hamed Junior Traoré (Bournemouth) all doubtful for the competition due to injury, the Ivorian squad must also contend with the unavailability of Simon Adingra.
Taken off at half-time in last week’s 1-1 league draw with Crystal Palace, the Brighton winger is out for at least four weeks, according to his coach Roberto De Zerbi, who spoke at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday for the 19th day of the Premier League.
He is suffering from a hamstring injury, said his club on its official website.
A Brighton trick?
The news comes as a crushing blow to Selefanto coach Jean-Louis Gasset, who will announce his squad for the African Cup of Nations on Thursday.
And for good reason: Gasset may have just lost another key cog in his attack. Last November, the Abobo native was a key figure in the first two days of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as a regular starter.
Lining up on the right flank against the Seychelles (9-0), he scored his first international goal, then gave the Gambia defense a run for their money (0-2) three days later on the left wing.
Adingra was clearly in contention for a starting berth at the CAN, while Wilfried Zaha is no longer necessarily in the staff’s odor of sanctity.
However, his possible withdrawal from the squad is raising questions among Ivorian fans.
They suspect that the English club is plotting to block the player this winter, knowing that Japanese player Kaoru Mitoma is in the same situation.
Declared a victim of ankle discomfort, he will miss the Asian Cup (January 12-February 10, 2024) with the Samouraïs Bleus.
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