Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé has revealed his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. While familiar faces garnered attention, the three notable exclusions from his 26-man outfit caused the biggest shockwaves.
The drama of AFCON is already here. Before the tournament even kicks off in Morocco, fans are questioning if the Elephants have what it takes to retain their title as champions of Africa.
The recall of former Crystal Palace wizard Wilfried Zaha is the most notable inclusion to Faé’s team. However, supporters are far more curious about the three missing stars who represent a massive collective loss in experience and star power.
The omission of Simon Adingra is arguably the manager's most surprising decision. Since moving to Sunderland in a permanent switch from Brighton over the summer, the young winger has struggled for Premier League game time. As a result, Faé has not selected him for this year’s tournament.
The Black Cats reportedly spent £20.5 million on the Ivorian, yet he has not secured a consistent run in Régis Le Bris’ side. The 23-year-old has started only three games and played just 320 total minutes this season, providing only one assist.
Injury is not the reason for his lack of playing time. Instead, a pragmatic shift in tactics by the Sunderland head coach following their promotion to the Premier League forced the winger to the bench. Enthusiastic midfielder Enzo Le Fée took Adingra’s spot on the left. Le Bris solidified his team through the middle, eliminating the need for an explosive, touchline winger.
“Simon has faced fierce competition for his position,” Faé told Reuters. “He's struggling to earn a starting spot (in the Premier League). We had to do without his qualities when making our selection."
Adingra will feel deep disappointment about missing the tournament purely on merit. He starred in the 2024 final, assisting both of Ivory Coast’s goals in the 2-1 victory over Nigeria. His electrifying campaign made fans love him, and they will surely feel his absence.
Once touted as Africa’s next valuable player, Faé has unfortunately not called up Nicolas Pépé.
The former Arsenal record-signing arrived in North London for £72 million from Lille in 2019 but has not reached the heights people expected of him. After a short stint in Türkiye following his time in the Premier League, the winger settled in eastern Spain with Villarreal. However, he has struggled to produce at the rate you would expect for someone of his quality.
Recent months seemingly foreshadowed his exclusion. He played over an hour in the final World Cup Qualifier Ivory Coast played against Kenya in October, but Faé did not select him for the international friendlies a month later.
Pépé has not scored for his country since October 2024 and featured as an unused substitute in both the semi-finals and finals of the last African Cup of Nations. This omission confirms his diminished role, making it is likely we will never see this once-wonderkid play at the tournament again.
Ivory Coast will be without one of their key defensive figures as Faé has not selected Wilfried Singo for the competition.
The 24-year-old defender, currently playing for Turkish side Galatasaray, was a defensive stalwart in the previous winning tournament, featuring in every single 2024 AFCON game. Sadly, his exclusion is a case of bad timing as he has struggled with fitness this season.
After sustaining an injury early in October against Besiktas, Singo did not play again until November, missing the Elephants’ final two AFCON qualifiers. A renewed hamstring strain in a recent league match on October 22nd ultimately ruled him out of the trip to Morocco.
Coach Faé will hope his selected right-backs, Guela Doue and Armel Zohouri, have what it takes to fill the enormous gap the exciting defender left. Given the loss of a player of Singo's quality and experience, opposition coaches will likely target his position as a weakness.
