Sebastien Haller, the hero of the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast, would be sidelined for his nation’s next two international matches this month due to injury.

The Elephants new coach Emerse Fae announced on Monday while announcing his team for friendlies against Benin and Uruguay.

Haller, who recovered from testicular cancer to resume his career at Borussia Dortmund, scored the game-winning goal to help the Ivorians defeat Nigeria 2-1 in last month’s Abidjan final.

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Due to an ankle injury, he had to miss the first part of the tournament in the Ivory Coast. However, he bounced back to score two crucial goals, including the game-winning goal in the final, as the hosts won the title in a spectacular climax.

However, the 29-year-old striker has missed the Ivorians’ first two games since winning the Cup of Nations due to a similar injury.

On March 23, they play Benin at Amiens, and three days later, on March 24, they play Uruguay at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens.

Captain Serge Aurier, who moved from Nottingham Forest to Galatasaray in January but hasn’t played for his new team due to injury, and Christian Kouame, a forward for Fiorentina who contracted malaria during the Cup of Nations finals and is still recovering, are also absent from last month’s winning team.

Only one new player was named by Fae, Ligue 1 right back Guela Doue from Stade Rennais.