African champions call up SA-based keepers

Ivory Coast have called up two South African-based goalkeepers for their final two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with veteran Ali Badara Sangare from Sekhukhune United and Ira Tapé of TS Galaxy both included for matches against Zambia and Chad.

The Ivorians are defending Cup of Nations champions but are yet to confirm their place at the 24-team tournament in Morocco next year.

They need a draw away against Zambia in Ndola on Friday to make sure. If they lose they can still advance by winning their last game at home to Chad in Abidjan next Tuesday, November 19.

Coach Emerse Faé selected a group of 25 players, making several changes from their last two matches against Sierra Leone last month, one of which saw them suffer a surprise defeat.

Tapé comes into the squad, along with Auxerre defender Sinaly Diomandé and the midfield pair of Jean-Eudes Aholou and Lazare Amani, who were part of the squad that won the Cup of Nations title on home soil in February.

Vakoun Bayo earned a recall after a lengthy absence while two of the heroes from the Cup of Nations success at the start of the year are also back in Jérémie Boga and fan favourite Simon Adingra, who was injured for last month’s two qualifiers.

Dropped are Eric Bailly, who had a nightmare return to the side last month, plus Jean Michaël Seri, who was the x-factor for the Ivorians earlier this year.

There is also no place for Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, despite his double in the Europa League last week.

SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers, France), Ali Badra Sangare (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Ira Tapé (TS Galaxy, South Africa)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Stade Reims, France), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Sinaly Diomandé (AJ Auxerre, France), Guela Doue (Racing Strasbourg, France), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Christopher Operi (Le Havre, France), Wilfried Singo (Monaco, France)

Midfielders: Jean-Eudes Aholou (Angers, France), Lazare Amani (Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium) Mohamed Diomande (Rangers), Mario Dorgeles (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Seko Fofana (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Hamed Traore (AJ Auxerre, France)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Vakoun Bayo (Watford, England), Jérémie Boga (Nice, France), Oumar Diakite (Stade Reims, France), Evann Guessano (Nice, France), Jean Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal, Spain), Benie Traore (FC Basle, Switzerland).