Ivory Coast Names Zaha to AFCON Squad

Ivory Coast’s Head Coach, Emerse Fae, has unveiled the Elephants’ 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a return for experienced winger Wilfried Zaha after a nearly two-year absence from the national team.

Zaha, 33, has earned a recall following a strong season with Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC, where he is currently on loan from Galatasaray. His inclusion adds significant firepower to the defending champions’ attack.

The squad boasts a strong contingent of players from Europe’s top leagues, with four Premier League stars making the cut. Nottingham Forest’s midfield duo, Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly, are included, alongside Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou and Manchester United’s exciting young winger, Amad Diallo.

Notably, Sunderland winger Simon Adingra, a key figure in Ivory Coast’s triumphant 2023 AFCON campaign, has not been selected for the tournament. However, Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand will serve as a standby player, ready to step in should any players withdraw before the competition begins.

The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to kick off on December 21st, with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros in the opening match. However, a recent decision by FIFA means clubs are not obligated to release players until December 15th – a week later than the usual timeframe for major international tournaments.

The 24 participating nations have been divided into six groups of four. Ivory Coast finds themselves in Group F, a challenging pool that includes five-time AFCON winners Cameroon, as well as Gabon and Mozambique.

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)

Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Rennes), Jean‑Philippe Gbamin (Metz), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al‑Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean‑Michael Seri (Maribor)

Forwards: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Sebastien Haller (Utrecht), Jean‑Philippe Krasso (Paris FC), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte)

Reserves: Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi)

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE