AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast coach provides update on Dortmund striker Haller’s injury ahead of clash with Nigeria

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been seeded in the same group with Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and AFCON 2023 host, Côte d’Ivoire

The head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, Jean-Louis Gassée, has shared insights on Borussia Dortmund’s Sébastien Haller’s injury situation, as reported by Soccernet.ng.

The Elephants are gearing up for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they will face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match without the former France youth international, who is sidelined due to injury.

In a press conference ahead of the clash at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Gassée informed Soccernet.ng that Haller will miss the Guinea-Bissau match but might be fit for the encounter against Nigeria.

“Tomorrow [Saturday], Sébastien Haller will not be available for Guinea-Bissau’s match, and with a five-day break, I believe he will return with the squad,” he told Soccernet.ng.

Gassée revealed that Haller is working hard to recover, expressing hope that the striker can play a significant role in the clash against Nigeria.

“He has been training hard with other players facing similar problems, and we are hopeful he will be useful for the next games,” he said.

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Nigeria is also grappling with injuries, resulting in key players like Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar, and Wilfred Ndidi making early exits from the squad ahead of the tournament.

The Elephants are set to begin their group phase against Guinea-Bissau, followed by an eagerly awaited clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.