Ivory Coast coach, Michel Dussuyer has left out Manchester City duo, Yaya Toure & Wilfried Bony from the Elephant squad ahead of their 3 September decisive 2017 AFCON final qualifying match against Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The two nations will clash at the Stade Bouaké now Stadium of Peace in what is describe as the Group I decider for a place in Gabon but the home side will have to make do without the Manchester City pair.
Coach Dussuyer final 23-man squad was made know last Thursday in a press conference at the headquarters of the Ivorian Football Federation (IFF).
The French boss, when asked about Toure’s absent, said: “A meeting is planned with Yaya Toure. After which everyone will be updated.”
Another player that will miss the September 3 encounter is Stuttgart midfielder Serey Die who is recovering from a leg injury he suffered on April 5 while playing for Stuttgart in their 2-2 draw with Darmstadt.
However, there is some good news for the former Guinea national team coach as PSG defender Serge Aurier and newly acquired Manchester United central-back Eric Bailly are available for selection.
Aurier had not been involved with the Elephants since March 29 in Khartoum against Sudan during the fourth round matches.
Meanwhile, the former French international also recalled Deli Simon of Sparta Prague, Ousmane Viera, Wilfried Kanon and Kone Lamine Traore.
In midfield, Franck Kessie, now a pivot in Atlanta Bergamo in Italy and Serge N’Guessan the new resident of the French league was again recalled by Dussuyer.
With the absent of Toure and Bony, Dussuyer recalled Max Gradel, Yao Kouassi Gervais, Kodja Jonathan and Giovanni Sio Thomas of Girondins de Bordeaux.
While goalkeeper Gbohouo Sylvain will be assisted by Sayouba Mande and Sangare Badra.
Ivory Coast are currently leading group I with 5 points and only need to avoid defeat to secure qualification while Sierra Leone who are with 4 points can progress to Gabon 2017 with only a victory.
Full Squad:
Keepers: GBOHOUO Sylvain (TP Mazembe – DR Congo), SANGARE BADRA Ali (AS Tanda – Côte d’Ivoire)
And Sayouba Mande ( Stabaek – Norway ).
Defenders: AURIER Serge (Paris SG – France), BAILLY Eric (Manchester United – England), DELI Simon ( Slavia Prague – Republic Czech ), DIARRASSOUBA Ousmane Viera ( Adanaspor – Turkey ), GOUA Mahan Marc ( Asec Mimosas – Cote d’Ivoire ), KANON Wilfred (ADO The Hague – Netherlands), KONE Lamine (Sunderland AFC – England ) And TRAORE Adama (FC Basel – Switzerland).
Midfielders: Angban Victorian (Granada CF – Spain ), DIOMANDE Ishmael (SM Caen – France), DOUKOURE Sheik (FC Metz – France), KESSIE Franck (Atlanta Bergamo – Italy ), N’Guessan Yao Serge (AS Nancy Lorraine – France) and SERI John Michael ( OGC Nice – France).
Strikers: Gradel Max-Alain (AFC Bournemouth – England), Kouassi Yao Gervais (Hebei Fortune FC – China), KALOU Solomon ( Hertha Berlin – Germany ), Kodjia Jonathan (Bristol City FC – England ), SIO Giovanni ( Stade Rennais – France) and TOURE Thomas ( Girondins de Bordeaux – France).
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