In a move that has ignited debate across Ivorian football circles, Nicolas Pépé has been omitted from Ivory Coast’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – a decision many believe stems from his recent controversial remarks about goalkeeper Alban Lafont.
Pépé, who previously played a key role for the Elephants, sparked outrage after publicly questioning Lafont’s commitment to the national team. Speaking ahead of the final squad announcement, Pépé suggested Lafont lacked genuine ties to the country, saying:
“A player who first chooses the French national team and then the Ivory Coast national team? If I were the head coach or the federation, I would immediately say ‘no, thank you.’ He was born in Burkina Faso, but he chose Ivory Coast. He is not originally Ivorian; he just has a passport.”
The Lille winger reportedly went further in private settings, mocking Lafont within the team camp, telling him:
“You’re not Ivorian… you’re from Burkina Faso.”
These comments created serious unrest in the locker room, especially given the sensitive nature of dual-nationality representation in African football. Alban Lafont, 26, was born in Burkina Faso but qualifies to play for Ivory Coast through his Ivorian grandfather. He has previously played for France’s youth sides but switched allegiance to Côte d’Ivoire in 2024.
Following the uproar, head coach Emerse Faé announced the 2025 AFCON squad, including Lafont among the three goalkeepers — but leaving out Pépé entirely. While no official reason was given, sources close to the federation say the player’s attitude and divisive comments played a key role in the decision.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has not made any public statement, but insiders suggest that team harmony was a major consideration.
This incident underscores the growing importance of unity and professionalism at international level — especially as Ivory Coast aims to repeat its 2023 AFCON triumph on home soil.
Squad Insight:
-In: Alban Lafont, Franck Kessié, Sébastien Haller
-Out: Nicolas Pépé
With tensions still simmering, Pépé’s international future hangs in the balance — and his absence from the squad could mark a turning point in a career that once promised so much.
