Real Madrid star Diomande headlines Ivory Coast squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard has announced a 24-man squad for the Elephants’ busy international window, which will see them play three matches.

The West African football heavyweights are scheduled to face Ghana and Somalia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers before taking Cameroon in a high-profile friendly match.

At a press conference on Wednesday, September 16, the French tactician has unveiled his squad as the Elephants prepare for the upcoming matches.

Ivory Coast will begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Ghana on Thursday, September 24, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké before taking on Somalia five days later at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium.

Their international window will conclude on Saturday, October 3, with the 2023 AFCON champions expected to face Cameroon in a friendly at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The squad features a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents, with Renard retaining several players familiar to the Elephants setup while also handing opportunities to younger members of the team.

Among the goalkeepers selected are Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont and Mohamed Koné.

The defensive department includes Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Guéla Doué, Kassoum Ouattara, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomandé and Christ Tapé.

In midfield, Renard has called up Amadou Koné, Eddy Doué, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Chris Oulaï, Malick Yalcouyé and Patrick Zabi.

The attacking options are led by Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pépé, Ryan Fofana and Yan Diomandé.

Notably absentees include Manchester United star Amad Diallo, Evann Guessand, Oumar Diakite, Simon Adingra, and Mohamed Diomande

Renard will be hoping the squad can make a strong start to the qualifiers when the Elephants welcome Ghana to Bouaké before facing Somalia in Abidjan.

The Cameroon friendly will subsequently provide another opportunity for the French coach to assess his players and continue preparations ahead of the Elephants’ upcoming international commitments.

Ivory Coast squad:

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont, Mohamed Koné

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Guéla Doué, Kassoum Ouattara, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomandé, Christ Tapé

Midfielders: Amadou Koné, Eddy Doué, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Chris Oulaï, Malick Yalcouyé, Patrick Zabi

Forwards: Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pépé, Ryan Fofana, Yan Diomandé