In an interview to clarify the omission of the winger from the AFCON squad, Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae clarified that the reason is not sports-related, and if Nicolas Pepe had kept his mouth where it should be, then he would have been with the team for their title defence.

The feeling of Invincibility sometimes gets to players, making them feel they have earned certain merits, even though a decision has not been made, and things can always work out in different ways.

Nicolas Pepe will not be heading to the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast, and the Villarreal man will have only himself to blame for so many indiscretions in quick succession, when it was sensationally unwarranted.

The 30-year-old, literally his country's best player at the moment, was days away from being confirmed on a 26-man list for the 35th edition of Africa's premier competition, only to stir up controversies that left stakeholders with no choice but to cut him out.

Nicolas Pepe paid the price for unprovoked indiscretions 

The announcement of Ivory Coast's squad has sent a seismic shockwave through the football world, not for who was included, but for the glaring omission of one of their most recognisable stars: Nicolas Pépé.

This revelation, even for those who were not aware of the stories behind this decision, would suspect something fishy, but it isn't about the most popular reasons you'll find in African football, it is more about a player whose talent is increasingly overshadowed by a growing catalogue of controversial public statements.

Pépé's snub is more like a forced decision, not even one the manager would gladly make if left with a choice, but it relates to a personality whose words have recently landed him in hot water with the Ivorian football hierarchy, the African football community, and even global icons. 

In this article, Betrekatips delves into the specific and highly inflammatory comments made by Nicolas Pépé, which have painted a picture of a player exhibiting a lack of national team commitment and respect for his peers and rivals.

The question of Alban Lafont's Ivorian Identity

One of the most immediate and surprising statements attributed to Pépé that caused an uproar involved his views on international allegiance, specifically targeting his countryman, goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

Lafont, who has Ivorian heritage through his maternal grandfather, initially represented France at the youth level before opting to commit to the Elephants. 

Pépé, in a publicly quoted statement that has circulated widely on social media and in the press, cast doubt on the legitimacy of Lafont’s Ivorian roots and commitment.

“A player who first chooses the French NT and then an African one? If I’m the coach or federation it would be no thanks instantly. He’s from Burkina Faso but chose Ivory Coast. He isn’t Ivorian but has the passport [laughs],” Pépé reportedly stated.

This quote is particularly jarring, as it challenges the very fabric of national identity within African football, where many players from the diaspora choose to represent their ancestral homes.

The tone, complete with the insinuation of a passport obtained purely for career purposes and the dismissive laughs, is deeply disrespectful, not only to his new teammate but to the Football Federation, and the country.

For Faé, just like every other coach, building a cohesive team ethos ahead of a major tournament is paramount, and Pépé’s comments directly undermine that objective.

Mocking Moroccan football history 

Reports and social media buzz surrounding Pépé's comment on Moroccan football history have strongly suggested that the winger aimed derogatory remarks towards the national team. 

Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup made them the pride of the African continent, and any player from a rival African nation attempting to diminish that achievement or use inappropriate language is bound for severe backlash.

To worsen matters, the one-time African champions are the host of the upcoming edition of the tournament and Fae would not want to arrive in a hostile atmosphere, and let the team suffer for the ignorance of one man.

It is reported that Pépé’s alleged comments sought to undermine Morocco’s success; "How many titles do they have? None... maybe one in 1818, we weren’t even born yet," said the Elephants winger.

The comment immediately gained traction, forcing the former Arsenal man to tender an apology, although the damage had been done.

Given the intense scrutiny of these kinds of statements, any whiff of an attack on an entire nation, especially a successful African one, would be treated with the utmost severity.

Aiming digs at Cristiano Ronaldo

While this had no effect on his AFCON status, Pepe did not make a lot of friends after targeting Cristiano Ronaldo in a dig during a recent interview.

Pépé's desire to weigh in on the perennial 'Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) debate has also attracted negative attention, specifically through what many view as cheap shots aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo.

The controversy suggests that Pépé's opinions have been expressed not merely as a matter of footballing preference, but as personal digs, crossing the line from informed commentary into outright mockery.

In interviews where he discussed the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, Pépé made the bold claim that Ronaldo's continued focus on his Argentine rival proves his subordinate status.

“Cristiano Ronaldo does a lot of interviews, and he talks a lot about Messi, and that’s how you see that he (Ronaldo) is number 2,” Pépé is quoted as saying.

He didn't just stop there. The Arsenal flop followed up with a particularly cynical remark regarding Ronaldo's recent move to the Saudi Pro League:

“Ronaldo moved to Saudi he’s only been scoring 200 Penalties to reach 1000 goals.”

While the GOAT debate is a fixture of modern football, making unsubstantiated claims about a legendary player's goal-scoring record, especially through the league, reflects a lack of professionalism and respect.

For the Ivorian football establishment, such public grandstanding, which makes international headlines and paints one of their players in a petty light, is unwelcome noise.

The cumulative cost of indiscretion

The exclusion of Nicolas Pépé from the AFCON squad is the predictable culmination of these repeated indiscretions.

A player of his past stature would typically be a shoo-in for a major tournament, yet his recent track record with the national team, combined with a string of controversial comments, created a perfect storm.

The decision by Emerse Faé to drop Pépé is a statement that goes beyond in-field performances, a clear message that public undermining of teammates and disrespect have no room in football, regardless of talent or reputation. 

The Ivorian Federation is asserting that national team commitment and integrity are non-negotiable prerequisites.

For Pépé, this AFCON snub serves as a harsh, yet self-inflicted, lesson on the significant cost of letting one's mouth run free in the unforgiving modern era, where information, especially that of controversy, spreads like plague.

The absence of an experienced attacker is a blow to the Elephants on paper, but the preservation of a harmonious dressing room and a strong moral compass is arguably more valuable.

Pépé has made himself a subject of astute controversy at a very poor time and has faced the consequences of his actions.