Ivory Coast Announces 23-Man Squad for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
The Ivorian Football Federation has officially revealed the 23 players who will represent Ivory Coast at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Coach Ibrahim Kamara announced the squad on Saturday, confirming a mix of experienced internationals and talented young players.
Returning to the national team after a long absence is striker Wilfried Bony, who had an impressive performance in the recent friendly against Comoros, scoring twice. Bony will spearhead the attack alongside Jonathan Kodjia, as well as Roger Assalé and Wonlo Coulibaly of ASEC Mimosas, providing a potent forward line for the Elephants.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
-
Sylvain Gbohouo (TP Mazembe)
-
Ali Badra (Free State Stars)
-
Ira Eliezer Tapé (FC San Pedro)
Defenders:
-
Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur FC)
-
Mamadou Bagayoko (Red Star)
-
Wonlo Coulibaly (ASEC Mimosas)
-
Ismaël Traoré (SCO Angers)
-
Wilfried Kanon (Ado La Haye)
-
Cheick Comara (Wydad Athletic Club)
-
Souleymane Doumbia (Stade Rennais)
Midfielders:
-
Franck Kessié (AC Milan)
-
Serey Dié (Neuchâtel Xamax FCS)
-
Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Mainz 05)
-
Jean-Michael Séri (Fulham FC)
-
Ibrahim Sangaré (Toulouse FC)
-
Victorien Angban (FC Metz)
Forwards:
-
Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa FC)
-
Max Gradel (Toulouse FC)
-
Nicolas Pépé (Lille OSC)
-
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace FC)
-
Maxwel Cornet (Olympique Lyonnais)
-
Roger Assalé (Young Boys FC)
-
Wilfried Bony (Al-Arabi SC)
The squad combines seasoned professionals playing across Europe with key domestic players, ensuring a balance of experience and youthful energy. The inclusion of Bony and Kodjia provides Ivory Coast with a powerful attacking duo, while Aurier and Kessié bring leadership and stability in defense and midfield.
Ivory Coast will open their Africa Cup of Nations campaign aiming to improve on previous performances, with Kamara’s selection reflecting his ambition to compete strongly in Egypt.
