Soccer-Hosts Ivory Coast face forward problems ahead of Cup of Nations opener

People pass in front of graffiti showing the Ivory Coast team winners of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, as Ivory Coast gears up to host the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on Saturday, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast January 7, 2024. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Hosts Ivory Coast will have to do without striker Sebastian Haller in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea Bissau as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, coach Jean-Louis Gasset said.

The availability of the 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker for their second game in Group A against Nigeria next week was also up in the air, the coach added.