By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’s opponents in the crucial 2024 Africa Cup of Nations June 17 qualifier, Ivory Coast have unveiled their squad for the much-anticipated fixture slated for Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Ivory Coast national team coach, Jean-Louis Gasset has announced a star-studded squad which is being led by skipper and Nottingham Forest defender Serge Aurier.
Gasset has also named defender Eric Baily who spent a season on loan at Olympique Marseille from Manchester United.
Experienced striker, Max Gradel and FC Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie have also been named in the squad which is without Crystal Palace’s striker Wilfried Zaha, Dortmund’s Sebastian Haller, and Nicholas Pepe.
As host of the 2024 AFCON, Ivory Coast are using the group stage matches as preparations for the continental championship.
The Elephants are unbeaten in Group H where they dominate with 10 points, one point ahead of the Chipolopolo who will be looking for a draw to qualify ahead of Comoros and Lesotho who are on three points and one point respectively.
Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo yesterday held their full session at Wits University as they plot the fall of the Elephants.
Bolstered by the arrival of the quartet of Leicester City forward Patson Daka, midfielder Lameck Banda, who features for Lecce in Italy, Ayr United defender Frankie Musonda and Golden Mafwenta who represents MFK Vyskov, the team will be camped in Johannesburg up to June 13 when they will fly to Ndola.
Ivorian squad:
- Goalkeepers – Folly Charles, Sangare Badra and Tape Ira Eliezer.
- Defenders – Agbadou Emmanuel, Serge Aurier, Eric Baily, Deli Simon, Ghislain Konan, Evan N’dicka and Sinco Wilfried.
- Midfielders – Idrissa Doumbia, Ibrahim Sangare, Kessie Franck and Seri Jean Micheal.
- Forwards – Krasso Jean Philipe, Max Gradel, Alain, Kouassi, Jean Evrard, Cornet Maxwell, Christian Kouame, Jonathan Bamba, Karim Konate and Simon Adingra.
