Herve Renard names youthful Cote d’Ivoire squad with eight new faces

Herve Renard has announced his first Cote d’Ivoire squad since returning as head coach, selecting 25 players for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign. The list includes eight newcomers, seven of whom are under-21.

The Elephants begin their new cycle against Ghana in Bouake on 24 September. They host Somalia in Abidjan five days later before concluding the international window with a friendly against Cameroon in Ebimpe on 3 October.

The scale of the changes follows Cote d’Ivoire’s run to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup and the end of Emerse Fae’s time in charge. Renard has opted for a significant restructuring of the squad, with a third of his selections made up of new players.

New options in defence and midfield

Among the fresh selections are Toulouse defender Christ Tape, 20, and Kassoum Ouattara, 21, who joined Besiktas from Monaco this summer.

Both have been selected as left-back options, with Renard appearing to begin planning for the eventual replacement of the position’s established players. Tape has previously represented Cote d’Ivoire at youth level.

The midfield has also been refreshed following the international retirements of Seko Fofana and Jean Michael Seri.

Amadou Kone, 21, has been included after previously playing for the under-23 side. The Neom midfielder, formerly of Reims, is joined by Patrick Zabi, 19, who took part in the squad’s World Cup preparation camp and has now begun playing in Ligue 1 with Paris FC.

Eddy Doue, 20, is another new name in the senior group. The midfielder plays for Estrela Amadora in Portugal and is the cousin of Desire Doue and Guela Doue, who has also been included in the squad.

Malick Yalcouye, 20, returns to the group after previously being called up without appearing for the senior team. The Brighton midfielder has made a strong start to the Premier League season, scoring against Chelsea and Coventry.

Fofana and Gboho among attacking additions

Rayan Fofana is another notable selection. The 20-year-old forward scored five Ligue 1 goals for Lens last season before joining Le Havre on loan this summer. He had previously represented France at under-21 level.

Yann Gboho, 25, has been called up after moving from Toulouse to Coventry. He chose to represent Cote d’Ivoire before the World Cup but had not previously received a senior call-up.

Renard’s squad also contains several notable absences. Amad Diallo, Wilfried Singo and Martial Godos are unavailable because of injuries, and Renard said he would have selected them had they been fit.

Nicolas Pepe is included despite rumours suggesting he could be stepping away from the national team.

Sebastien Haller, meanwhile, has not been recalled despite rediscovering his scoring form in Japan. Simon Adingra, Evann Guessand, Oumar Diakite, Christopher Operi and Parfait Guiagon, all members of the World Cup squad, have also been left out.