Côte d’Ivoire striker Sébastien Haller misses AFCON 2025 due to hamstring injury, replaced by Premier League forward Evann Guessand.

Sébastien Haller

Côte d’Ivoire’s Sébastien Haller will miss AFCON 2025 after sustaining a hamstring injury during a league clash for FC Utrecht last weekend, reports Sportblits.com.

The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed on Friday that the 31-year-old striker will be sidelined for the tournament. Evann Guessand, who plays for Premier League club Aston Villa, has been called up to replace him. Guessand was initially listed as a reserve player.

Haller’s AFCON Impact

Haller made a significant mark at the previous AFCON, scoring the winning goal in Côte d’Ivoire’s 2-1 final victory over Nigeria. His absence will be a setback for the defending champions.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Group D Fixtures

The reigning champions are drawn in Group D alongside:

  • Mozambique
  • Cameroon
  • Gabon

Under Emerse Fae, Côte d’Ivoire will kick off their title defence against the Mambas of Mozambique next Wednesday.

Evann Guessand

The Ivorian squad now looks to new addition Evann Guessand to help maintain their winning momentum at AFCON 2025.