Nicolas Pepe leaves Cote d’Ivoire squad before Cameroon friendly

Nicolas Pepe has been ruled out of Cote d’Ivoire’s friendly against Cameroon after being granted permission to leave the national team camp for family reasons.

The 31-year-old Villarreal winger, who has won 59 caps and scored 14 goals for his country, was a key player in Cote d’Ivoire’s first two matches under Herve Renard’s second spell in charge.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed Pepe’s departure in a statement released 13 hours before kick-off. He left the squad to join his wife, who was about to give birth.

Cote d’Ivoire are scheduled to face Cameroon during the night from Saturday into Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.

Pepe started both of Cote d’Ivoire’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. He played 86 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Ghana in Bouake on 24 September, before featuring for 65 minutes in the 2-0 defeat by Somalia in Abidjan on 29 September at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.

His absence is expected to give Bazoumana Toure an opportunity on the right wing. The 20-year-old Newcastle player is Pepe’s natural replacement and has already covered for him in the last two matches involving the 2023 African champions.

Toure made an immediate impact after coming off the bench against Somalia, scoring in that match.