Cote d’Ivoire: Herve Renard faces Amad Diallo doubt and Ghislain Konan injury

Herve Renard’s second squad announcement as Cote d’Ivoire manager has been complicated by Ghislain Konan’s confirmed injury and uncertainty over Amad Diallo, with three days remaining before the list is released.

The Frenchman’s first gathering with the three-time African champions focused largely on refreshing the squad. His next assignment will begin with managing absences, as the Elephants prepare to face Gambia twice in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Both teams have won their opening two matches and collected six points, while Cote d’Ivoire have yet to concede. The upcoming double-header therefore offers little room for experimentation, particularly with two players who operate in wide areas now facing fitness concerns.

Diallo is the latest doubt. The Manchester United winger started Saturday’s match against Chelsea but was forced off in the 76th minute after experiencing muscular pain. No precise diagnosis or expected recovery period has been announced, leaving his availability for the matches against Gambia uncertain.

The 22-year-old had already missed Cote d’Ivoire’s previous camp because of an ankle injury. He had hoped to use the November international window to begin working with Renard, but this latest setback could delay their first collaboration again.

Renard would still have attacking options if Diallo is unavailable. Nicolas Pepe, Yan Diomande, Yann Gboho and Ange-Yoan Bonny all offer different qualities in the forward line. Diallo, however, provides the ability to accelerate, combine with team-mates and create openings from the right flank or from a more central position.

Konan’s absence is definite. The left-back sustained a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee during training with Wolverhampton. He is expected to be out for about eight weeks, although he will not require surgery.

The 30-year-old started against Ghana and then Somalia, quickly becoming part of Renard’s first-choice defence. His withdrawal means the manager must alter a back line that kept two clean sheets in the opening two rounds of qualifying.

With Christopher Operi also injured in recent weeks, Kassoum Ouattara appears the most natural replacement on the left. Clement Akpa of Auxerre and Christ Tape of Toulouse could provide further options, depending on the system Renard chooses.

Cote d’Ivoire have one of the deepest pools of talent in African football, and Renard had already selected eight new players in September. The latest injuries will nevertheless force him to make some decisions sooner than planned.

A second meeting with a Gambia side that also has six points will demand a settled and disciplined team. Renard’s attempt to establish a younger squad and a new approach has already produced its first major selection challenge, before his squad has even been announced.