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The goalkeeper of the selection of Côte d’Ivoire, Sylvain Gbohouo, risks missing the CAN in Cameroon (from January 9 to February 6). He was suspended from all competition after a positive doping control in mid-November. The Ivorian Football Federation told RFI on Saturday January 1 that it had appealed against the sanction. Uncertainty reigns and the Elephants do not yet know who will be their titular gatekeeper.
Black clouds cover the Ivorian sky, ten days before the entry into the running of the Elephants in the CAN 2022 in Cameroon against Equatorial Guinea, their first opponent of the group E (January 12 in Japoma) before Sierra Leone and Algeria. Thursday, December 30, Wolkite City FC, club of the Ethiopian elite championship, and the Ethiopian Football Federation revealed the information: Sylvain Gbohouo, the goalkeeper recruited in September from Tout Puissant Mazembe (DRC), is suspended from any competition for doping.
During a control carried out in November, molecules of trimetazidine, a stimulating substance classified as doping products, was detected in the urine of the Ivorian porter. The FIFA disciplinary commission then decided to suspend Sylvain Gbohouo. A blow for the Ivorian selection, of which the player became the titular goalkeeper after the 2014 World Cup, in place of Boubacar Barry Copa.
Beaumelle summons a fifth guardian
Initially silent, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) spoke on Saturday January 1. AT Muhamed Lameen, RFI correspondent in Côte d’Ivoire, an official confirmed the suspension of Sylvain Gbohouo. He also revealed that the FIF appealed against the said sanction. The appeal involving in particular a second opinion, the Elephants hope that the sanction targeting the 2015 African champion will be suspended, until a final decision is taken.
In a video interview posted on YouTube on January 1 also, the coach of the Ivory Coast, Patrice Beaumelle, spoke about the Gbohouo case from Saudi Arabia, where the team A is in training camp. . He confirmed the suspension of Sylvain Gbohouo and the call for a fifth goalkeeper *, Edan Ulrich N’Drin, “ until we have the final decision of Fifa to suspend or withdraw the suspension of our goalkeeper ».
Ivorians hope for a new test
The French technician indicates that Sylvain Gbohouo is ” very touched and affected By this situation. He also explains under what circumstances the porter was suspended: “ At the beginning of last year, we asked Sylvain to do an eye exam, as the guards often do. He did it in Abidjan. The doctor who examined him prescribed medicine for him. Sylvain took them in March, and he has since stopped them. »
On November 16, 2021, Côte d’Ivoire faced Cameroon in Douala, as part of the final day of the qualifiers for the next World Cup (1-0 victory for the Indomitable Lions, synonymous with elimination for Elephants). The draw designated Sylvain Gbohouo to take part in the doping test.
« I was informed of the result on Monday, December 27: there were traces of the molecule in his urine. We provided the prescription, the Federation doctors contacted the doctor who provided proof of the prescription. The player has not taken medication since March », Continues Patrice Beaumelle.
The coach confirms the call and wants a new test to be ” carried out as soon as possible to prove that he has nothing left (in his urine). And if he has nothing left, I dare to hope that he will be able to participate in the CAN, if Fifa withdraws the suspension. If she doesn’t take it off, I think he won’t be able to compete. After that, I’m not in the Fifa and CAF offices. In any case, we want, for the player, for the team, for the country, that Sylvain can represent the colors of Côte d’Ivoire. », He concludes.
The Gbohouo soap opera disturbs the preparation of Ivorians. But his final word should not be long now. Just like the start of CAN.
* in addition to Edan Ulrich N’Drin (Amadou Diallo-Djekanou Football Academy / Ivory Coast), the other four goalkeepers called are Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite City / Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangaré (JDR Stars / South Africa), Eliezer Ira Tape (FC San Pedro / Ivory Coast) and Abdoul Karim Cissé (ASEC Mimosas / Ivory Coast).
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