Ndicka injury scare gives Ivory Coast fresh World Cup concerns

Ivory Coast are facing growing concern over the fitness of defender Evan Ndicka after he suffered an injury during AS Roma’s 2-0 victory over Lazio in Serie A.The 26-year-old centre-back was forced off in the 36th minute of the Rome derby after appearing to injure the back of his right thigh, casting doubt over his condition less than a month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ndicka had started the high-profile clash for Roma but was unable to continue, leaving the pitch before half-time in what quickly became a worrying moment for both club and country.While Roma secured an important derby victory, attention soon shifted to the condition of one of Ivory Coast’s most important defensive figures.The full extent of the injury remains unclear, with the club yet to release detailed medical results.The uncertainty has sparked anxiety among supporters in Abidjan and across the West African nation, particularly because Ndicka is part of coach Emerse Faé’s plans for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico later this year.The timing of the setback could hardly be worse for Ivory Coast, who are preparing for one of the biggest tournaments in world football and are expected to rely heavily on Ndicka’s experience and defensive leadership.The defender has become one of the key figures in the national team setup and his possible absence would represent a significant blow to the Elephants’ hopes heading into the tournament.Roma’s win over Lazio should have been a moment of celebration for the club, but the injury overshadowed the result.Ndicka’s early withdrawal immediately raised fears about the seriousness of the problem, especially given the location of the injury around the thigh area.Medical examinations are expected to determine the severity of the issue in the coming days.For Ivory Coast, the wait for clarity now becomes crucial. With the World Cup approaching rapidly, any lengthy absence could force changes to the squad plans assembled by Emerse Faé.The concern surrounding Ndicka also highlights how vulnerable national teams can become at the end of long European seasons, with several African countries carefully monitoring the fitness of players competing abroad.Despite the uncertainty, Ivorian supporters will be hoping the injury proves minor and that the defender can recover in time for the global tournament.Ndicka remains one of the most reliable defenders available to the Elephants and his presence could be vital if Ivory Coast are to compete strongly on the world stage.For now, however, there is unease rather than celebration following Roma’s derby triumph, as one of Ivory Coast’s biggest football stars faces an anxious wait over his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Related World Cup coverage: Cote d?Ivoire World Cup 2026 guide | World Cup 2026 hub

Mubarak Haruna

Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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