Emerse Faé has boldly reshaped the Ivory Coast squad for the 2025 AFCON, making a statement of intent as the Elephants prepare to defend their continental crown.
The headline omissions include key European-based players like Simon Adingra and Nicolas Pépé, along with full-back Wilfried Singo and forward Bénie Traoré.
The central component of Faé’s new strategy is the return of Wilfried Zaha. The Galatasaray winger was recalled after apologizing to the national team setup, with Faé accepting his return.
Zaha’s attacking flair, maturity, and experience are now considered critical elements for the team’s success, highlighting a shift toward relying on the veteran winger following the exclusion of several other star names.