Renard explains why Patrick Zabi must wait for Cote d’Ivoire debut

Patrick Zabi will have to wait for his first appearance for Cote d’Ivoire after remaining an unused substitute in Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Ghana.

The 18-year-old Paris FC midfielder received his first call-up to the senior national team but was not introduced during Herve Renard’s successful return to the Elephants bench.

Renard, who led Cote d’Ivoire to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title before returning to the role 11 years later, resisted calls to give one of the most talked-about new players in his squad a debut.

Some Ivorian journalists had been eager to see “Zabi la magie” in action, but Renard said the popularity of an individual player could not determine his decisions.

“I would like to please everyone, but the fact is that my job is not to please people. I am here to perform and win matches,” the French coach said after the game.

He added: “That does not mean we would not have won the match if he had been there, but there is a way to manage things and we must not do things anyhow.”

Renard’s decision was therefore not presented as a judgement on Zabi’s ability, but as an attempt to avoid rushing the midfielder into international football during his first senior call-up.

The match appeared to offer a suitable opportunity for a debut. Malick Yalcouye put Cote d’Ivoire ahead shortly before half-time, before Franck Kessie converted a penalty to give the hosts a two-goal advantage before the final 30 minutes.

When he made his substitutions, however, Renard opted for other players. Christ Inao Oulai, Elye Wahi and Bazoumana Toure were among those given playing time, while Zabi remained on the bench.

The former Reims midfielder is still regarded as one of the leading prospects of his generation in Cote d’Ivoire. His inclusion in the Elephants squad represents an important first step, even if Renard did not want to give him minutes simply for the significance of the occasion.

The victory over Ghana gave Renard, a two-time African champion, a calmer start to the remainder of the international break following his return to the Cote d’Ivoire dugout.

For Zabi, the message was clear: his opportunity will come, but Renard intends to decide when the time is right.