Amad Diallo eyes National team return ahead of AFCON 2025 qualifiers
Amad Diallo is poised to make his long-awaited return to the Ivory Coast national team in September. Following a visit by Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé to Manchester, where Diallo plays for Manchester United, discussions have emerged about the winger’s potential comeback for the upcoming CAN 2025 qualifiers.
Diallo’s recent journey has been marked by physical setbacks, which sidelined him for much of the previous season.
After returning to competition in December 2023, Diallo has not featured for the Elephants since March of that year.
However, with his injury troubles now behind him, the 22-year-old is eager to regain his form and secure a spot in the national team once again.
The Ivory Coast will face Zambia on September 6 in Bouaké and Chad on September 10 in Yaoundé for the opening matches of Group G in the AFCON2025 qualifiers.
With these crucial fixtures on the horizon, Diallo’s potential inclusion in the squad could provide a significant boost to the team’s attacking options.
Emerse Faé’s visit to Manchester underscores the importance of Diallo’s return to the national fold.
The coach’s meeting with the young winger highlights the interest in reintegrating Diallo into the squad, given his talent and potential impact on the team’s performance in the qualifiers.
Diallo’s preseason form has been particularly promising, offering a glimpse of what he could bring to both Manchester United and the Ivory Coast.
During the summer’s preparation matches, the Abidjan native found the back of the net twice, signaling his readiness to take on a more prominent role in the upcoming season.
For Diallo, regular playing time is crucial to achieving his goals. The winger has expressed his desire for more minutes on the pitch, a request that has been positively received by Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag.
“The coach believes in young players. He brought Garnacho two years ago and gave him a lot of playing time.
He brought Kobbie [Mainoo] last season and gave him playing time. I hope this season he can give me a lot of playing time,” Diallo stated.
Ten Hag appears to be heeding this request, as Diallo has already featured in key matches early in the season.
He started both the Community Shield clash against Manchester City and the Premier League opener against Fulham, signaling the Dutch manager’s confidence in the young winger’s abilities.
As September approaches, all eyes will be on whether Diallo will don the national team’s colors once more.
His return could be a pivotal moment for the Ivory Coast as they embark on their journey to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Diallo, it represents a chance to prove his worth on both the club and international stages, solidifying his place as one of the most promising talents in African football.
Faé Emerse a rendu visite à Amad Diallo à Manchester 🇨🇮 🔥🔥 #civ #civ225 pic.twitter.com/zwtKBsxRue
— SOUTIENAUXELEPHANTS🇨🇮 (@saedeciv) August 21, 2024
