August 26, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Ivory Coast and Hertha Berlin striker, Salomon Kalou is set to miss his country’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on 3 September.
The 31-year-old former Chelsea striker had flown home after he lost his 70-year-old father Antoine to a heart attack in Abidjan, two weeks ago, and is also said to be mourning the loss of his aunt Fernande.
According to the German club, the forward Kalou will return to Ivory Coast next week to be with his family during the international break and he will miss the Nations Cup match in Bouake.
“I’m travelling home to support my family,” the striker told German daily Bild. “Of course, I am unbelievably sad and feel empty,” he added, talking about the death of his father, after Hertha’s 5-3 penalty shoot-out win at Jahn Regensburg in the first round of the German Cup last Sunday.
After this weekend’s opening round of Bundesliga matches, Berlin’s next German league game is on 10 September at Ingolstadt, but no date has been fixed for Kalou’s return.
Ivory Coast technical team are yet to name Kalou’s replacement for the 3 September clash, which is a must win for Sierra Leone. Ivory Coast top Group I with two points above their Sierra Leonean opponent and only need a draw to qualify for 2017 competition in Gabon.