Ivory Coast manager Jean-Louis Gasset has revealed Nicolas Pépé’s shock inclusion for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations rests partly on hopes of resurrecting a lethal partnership with old Lille teammate Jonathan Bamba.
Pépé had been exiled after the Elephants’ November loss to Burkina Faso but earns a last-gasp reprieve for the tournament on home soil, with Gasset seeking to reignite a combination that inspired Lille’s stunning Ligue 1 title triumph only three seasons ago.
Pépé originally missed the cut having battled back from injury in Turkey to regain sharpness with Trabzonspor. However, Gasset explained the 27-year old’s ride return alongside the absence of other natural wide options eventually tipped the scales to offer an AFCON lifeline.
“The balance of the squad with right-handers meant that we needed a creative player on that side,” Gasset said. “That’s what tipped the scales.”
Beyond adding balance, the French strategist raised eyebrows by specifically citing Pépé’s previous alliance with Bamba – the two dovetailing to devastating effect during Lille’s historic 2018/2019 league-winning campaign.
With Bamba himself returning from the international wilderness, Gasset voiced conviction the former teammates can rediscover their prolific chemistry when reunited on Africa’s biggest stage over the next month.
“I know Nicolas Pépé, I’ve known him for a while,” Gasset declared. “I want to believe that over a one-month competition, we can find this duo again.”
If harnessing past glories proves inspiring, Ivory Coast could prove even harder to stop on their dedicated path towards AFCON glory with two talented elephants forming a formidable right-sided attack.
