Wilfried Zaha finds himself on the periphery of Ivory Coast’s AFCON 2023 campaign, contributing to growing speculations about his international retirement. As the Ivorian squad faced challenges against Nigeria during the second day of the group stage, Zaha was gearing up with Galatasaray to confront Ümraniye in the Turkish Cup.
Contrary to expectations, Jean-Louis Gasset, the national coach of Ivory Coast, excluded Zaha from the AFCON 2023 roster. Addressing the media in November 2023, Gasset elucidated, “Regarding Wilfried Zaha, I received an email from Galatasaray stating that the player was unavailable and could only arrive at the regrouping on Tuesday evening due to prior commitments in Dubai.”
Gasset expressed his bewilderment at the communication and promptly dismissed the former Manchester United player, emphasizing the need to enforce discipline and commitment in the team’s preparations.
However, The Athletic, in a detailed article, brought to light additional nuances surrounding Zaha’s omission.
Gasset contended that Zaha’s exclusion was not solely based on tactical considerations but also involved behavioral aspects off the field, making it a more complex decision.
Wilfried Zaha, a seasoned international with 28 caps since his debut, now finds himself at a crossroads.
His omission from the AFCON 2023 squad, coupled with hints from Gasset, has fueled rumors about the talented striker contemplating international retirement.
Zaha’s international career has seen notable highs, particularly during the 2019 AFCON, where his contributions, including two goals, propelled Ivory Coast to the quarter-finals.
As the football world eagerly watches Zaha’s next move, the Ivorian striker’s absence from the continental stage raises questions about the future of his international journey.
