In recent days, the participation of Simon Adingra in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) with the Ivory Coast has been under scrutiny.
The young Ivorian international, initially included in the provisional squad announced by Jean Louis Gasset, found himself at the center of controversy. Reports from England, as well as statements from his coach Robert De Zerbi, confirmed a recent injury to the player, who hails from Abi Sport in Benin, sidelining him for an estimated two to three weeks.
Just days before the start of the AFCON, this news sparked intense reactions in Ivory Coast. Football observers in the country quickly speculated about a possible conspiracy to prevent the player from participating in the tournament with the national team. The rumor gained such traction that the player himself had to step in to address the situation.
Simon Adingra Operational for AFCON 2023 ?
Amidst various speculations, Simon Adingra finally broke his silence. Taking to his Instagram story, he dispelled any doubts about his presence at the AFCON. Right from the outset, he explained, “Playing in the AFCON at home with Ivory Coast would be a dream come true […] the rumors that Brighton is holding me back are completely false.”
Simon Adingra went on to say, “I am motivated to represent my country. I am working extremely hard every day to recover from my injury. I will do everything to be ready to defend the colors of my country. I appreciate the support from the Ivorian Football Federation, Brighton, and all Ivorians. Happy holidays to all. May 2024 be better”. This substantial clarification should bring relief to the Elephants’ supporters.
Asked about the inclusion of the player in the squad despite his hamstring injury, Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset expressed optimism about the player’s recovery timeline.
“The medical staff has done a colossal job, as has the technical staff, over the past two months. They had access to the player’s MRI images and believe he will be recoverable in three to four weeks. We have established a list of 27 possible players, hoping to be within the necessary deadlines to be present during crucial moments. We are very confident”, he responded.
Simon Adingra in a Well-Thought-Out Squad
It must be noted that the Elephants’ coach opted for a balanced squad. Stars like Wilfried Zaha were omitted due to tactical choices. “For Wilfried, it was the trickiest case, but already in the balance of the squad, we had a lot of right-footed players. Assessing his performances with the national team where I had him for 4 to 5 gatherings, I sensed a player not fully liberated but almost. In the last gathering against Morocco and South Africa, he was slightly diminished, so it’s a coach’s choice,” Gasset explained in this context.
As for the main character, Wilfried Zaha, he holds no grudges and made it known through a post on his Instagram Story. “Good luck to the guys selected to represent the country. I’ll be cheering for them from afar,” he wrote, displaying sportsmanship.
Ivory Coast is the top nation seriously vying for the ultimate victory. The Elephants will strive to reclaim the trophy that has eluded them since Hervé Renard’s era in 2015, especially with the tournament taking place on home soil. Since Jean-Louis Gasset’s appointment, the national team has oscillated between positive performances and less convincing results. The former assistant to Laurent Blanc boasts a record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. However, in recent times, his team seems to be gaining momentum, relying on genuine football talents.
Continuing on this impressive trajectory will be crucial to harboring hopes of achieving a commendable result during the upcoming AFCON 2023. This tournament promises to be particularly competitive this year, featuring numerous powerhouses capable of contending for the coveted trophy.
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