Elephants recall Zaha for AFCON 2025

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Dec 10, 2025. 13:00

Wilfried Zaha has been recalled by Ivory Coast for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after two years in the international wilderness.

The 33-year-old winger was not a part of the Elephants squad that won their third title on home soil in February 2024 after missing their qualifying campaign through injury.

Zaha’s last appearance for Emerse Fae’s side came in the 1-1 draw with South Africa on 17 October 2023 which was his second game back for the West African giants in 11 months.

However, the former Crystal Palace star has been given another chance by Fae after impressing for Charlotte in Major League Soccer following his loan switch from Galatasaray in January this year.

But there is no space in Fae’s 26-man squad for Simon Adingra, who caught the eye for the AFCON 2023 hosts as they staged a miraculous turnaround to make it all the way to the final, where they beat Nigeria 2-1.

Adingra has struggled to establish himself at Sunderland this season, featuring just 320 minutes even though the Premier League newcomers have surprised many teams, winning six of their opening 15 matches.

Sebastien Haller, who scored the winner against the Super Eagles on 11 February 2024, is also included in the squad, having made a flying start for Utrecht in the Eredivisie this term since completing a permanent move from Borussia Dortmund.

Ivory Coast squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Kone, Alban Lafont.

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Willy Boly, Ousmane Diomande, Guela Doue, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Christopher Operi, Armel Zohouri.

Midfielders: Seko Fofana, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Christ Inao Oulai, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Jean-Michael Seri.

Forwards: Vakoun Bayo, Oumar Diakite, Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande, Sebastien Haller, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Bazoumana Toure, Wilfried Zaha.