By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Holders Côte d’Ivoire have named a 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Prompt News reports.
Former Crystal Palace winger, Wilfried Zaha makes a surprise return to the team, while Simon Adingra, who was a breakout figure at AFCON 2023 was dropped by head coach Emerse Fae.
The returning Zaha, now 33, is included for the first time in nearly two years after impressing with Charlotte FC in MLS, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists this season.
His recall comes as Faé looks to balance experience with emerging talent in a squad tasked with defending the title they won on home soil in 2024.
Jean-Michaël Seri, also returns after a long injury layoff.
Several younger players have also been retained, including Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo and Bazoumana Touré,
The 26-man squad will be supported by two reserves, Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand, who will be on standby in case of pre-tournament withdrawals.
Côte d’Ivoire enter the tournament in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique.
Côte d’Ivoire Full Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi SC, Belgium), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos, Greece)
DEFENDERS: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Boly Willy (Nottingham Forest, England), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP, Portugal)
Guela Doué (RC Strasbourg, France), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente, Portugal), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC, Italy), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey), Armel Zohouri (FC Iberia 1999, Georgia)
MIDFIELDERS: Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais, France), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Metz, France), Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England), Jean-Michael Seri (NK Maribor FC, Slovenia)
FORWARDS: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Amad Diallo (Manchester United, England), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, Germany), Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France), Bazoumana Touré (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC, United States)
STANDBY: Guessand Evann (Aston Villa, England), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
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