Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure
by
Phumzile Ngcatshe
Tuesday Mar 20, 2018. 16:30
News coming from Cote d’Ivoire is that Yaya Toure has returned to the Elephants national team for this month's friendlies in France.
The 34-year-old Manchester City midfielder quit international football after leading his country to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title, but reversed his decision in December.
Toure has rarely featured for the Citizens’ under the guidance of Pep Guardiola as he appeared in 13 matches in total this season, including six appearances as a substitute in the English Premier League.
Having been included in a 24-man squad for fixtures against Togo on March 24 and then Moldova three days later, officials are excited about his return after a three year absence.
"The federation had a good discussion with Yaya Toure about the two friendlies and he gave his commitment to be in France before his inclusion," a top FIF official told BBC Sport.
"It's also a big boost for the team ahead of important qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
"He loves his country and many people revere him for his contributions, we are just happy to have him back in the team again."
The big midfielder has played in six CAF African Cup of Nations tournaments, suffering defeat in the final in 2006 and 2012, and appeared in three FIFA World Cups.
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