Abidjan, March 11 (Reuters) – Ivory Coast's African Cup of Nations hero Sébastien Haller will miss this month's two international matches due to injury, new manager Emers Faet announced on Monday as he named his squad for friendlies against Benin and Uruguay.
Haller, who revived his career from testicular cancer with Borussia Dortmund, scored the winning goal for the Ivorian team. 2-1 victory over Nigeria The final was held in Abidjan last month.
He missed the opening stages of the tournament in Ivory Coast with an ankle injury, but recovered to score two crucial goals, including the winning goal in the final, as the hosts clinched the title in a fairy-tale finish.
However, the 29-year-old striker was sidelined again with a similar injury, missing the Ivory Coast's first two games since their Nations Cup success.
They will face Benin in Amiens on March 23, before facing Uruguay three days later at the Bolard-Delleris Stadium in Reims.
Also from last month's winning team are captain Serge Aurier, who moved from Nottingham Forest to Galatasaray in January but has yet to play for his new club due to injury, and Fiorentina, who contracted malaria during the Nations Cup final. Forward Cristian Kouame is also absent. Still recovering.
Fay named only one new player in his squad, right-back Guerra Due from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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