Cote d’Ivoire call up former Herve Renard pair for crucial U23 qualifiers

Cote d’Ivoire have included Christ Tape and Eddy Doue in their 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations U23 qualifying tie against Kenya on 11 and 17 November.

The two 20-year-olds were called into Herve Renard’s senior squad for the September international window but will now return to the Under-23 set-up under head coach Sebastien Bannier. Their experience with the senior team provides a significant boost as Cote d’Ivoire attempt to return to the continental finals.

Tape is a versatile and athletic defender who stands 1.88m tall. He currently plays for Toulouse in Ligue 1, having first made his name in Denmark with Horsens.

Doue, a defensive midfielder, is with Portuguese top-flight club Estrela Amadora. The former Paris Saint-Germain youth player is also the cousin of Desire Doue and Guela Doue.

He offers a well-rounded profile, combining his work in possession recovery with composure on the ball and the ability to support attacks. Doue has already provided three assists in nine league appearances this season.

Bannier’s squad also includes a number of players based in European leagues. In defence, Jean-Yves Valou is part of the group after joining Getafe on loan from Villarreal, while Emmanuel Junior Kakou represents Cercle Bruges.

Cote d’Ivoire will also look to Jocelin Ta Bi, who plays for Sunderland, and Oumar Konate, who was recently loaned by Monaco to Laval, to provide an attacking threat.

The tie carries importance for a side seeking to rebuild after missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations U23. Cote d’Ivoire reached the final of the 2019 edition, a result that secured qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.

The Elephanteaux will play the first leg away from home at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, 11 November, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 GMT.

They will then host Kenya at the Felix-Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Tuesday, 17 November, at 19:00 GMT.

With several members of the squad already exposed to senior-level football, Cote d’Ivoire will hope their blend of experience and emerging talent is enough to negotiate the second round and continue their campaign for a place at the Africa Cup of Nations U23.