The national coach of Ivory Coast, Jean-Louis Gasset, announced on Wednesday his list of selected players for the September gathering, including the 6th round of qualifiers for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (CAN). Several key players of the team are missing from the call-up.
As the host of the CAN 2023, scheduled to take place from January 13th to February 11th, 2024, Ivory Coast is also participating in the September international break. The Ivorians will face Lesotho on September 9th in the sixth round of qualifiers for the African Cup. Three days later, the team will play a friendly match against Mali.
For these two matches with no stakes, the coach Jean-Louis Gasset revealed the list of selected players. The French technician has called up 25 players, including 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 10 midfielders, and 4 forwards. Among this group, the perennial regulars are present, including Max-Alain Gradel, Wilfried Singo, Ghislain Konan, Franck Kessié, Jean-Michael Seri, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Badra Ali Sangaré.
Two new faces are also joining the Elephants’ squad: the goalkeeper from Angers, Yahia Fofana, and the former French youth international Ousmane Diomandé. Among the absentees, notable names are Éric Bailly, Simon Deli, Seko Fofana, Wilfried Zaha, and Nicolas Pépé.
The list of selected Elephants:
Goalkeepers Yahia Fofana (SCO ANGERS) Badra Sangaré (SHEKHUNKUNE UTD) Ayayi Folly (ASEC MIMOSAS)
Defenders Serge Aurier (NOTTINGHAM FOREST) Wilfried Singo (AS MONACO) Odilon Kossounou (BAYER LEVERKUSEN) Ousmane Diomandé (SPORTING Portugal) Ghislain Konan (AL NASSR) Evan Ndicka Obite (AS ROMA) Abakar Sylla (RC STRASBOURG)
Defensive Midfielders Ibrahim Sangaré (PSV) Franck Kessié (AL AHLI JEDDAH) Jean-Michael Seri (HULL CITY) Idrissa Doumbia (AL ALHI SC) Hamed Traoré Junior (BOURNEMOUTH)
Attacking Midfielders Oumar Diakité (REIMS) Jonathan Bamba (CELTA VIGO) Simon Adingra (BRIGTHON) Maxwel Cornet (WEST HAM) Max Alain Gradel (GAZIANTEP)
Forwards Sébastien Haller (DORTMUND) Christian Kouamé (AC FIORENTINA) Jean-Philippe Krasso (ETOILE ROUGE BELGRADE) Karim Konaté (RB SALZBOURG)
