Emerse Fae recalls Wilfried Zaha for Ivory Coast' AFCON title defence

The defending champions have recalled MLS based Wilfried Zaha for the first time since his exclusion from the title winning Elephants side last year.

The 33-year-old Charlotte has 33 appearances for Ivory Coast, scoring five goals and providing six assists. He also contributed with ten goals and six assist in Major League Soccer last season.

"We need experienced players," said Fae on Ivorian TV.

"In the case of Zaha, his ability to beat defenders and his current form worked in his favour."

Notable exclusions in the Elephants squad include Sunderland winger Simon Adingra and Villarreal forward Nicolas Pepe.

"Simon [Adingra] is struggling to earn a starting spot at Sunderland and we will have to do without his qualities," explained the coach.

Ivory Coast will be targeting their fourth continental title and their first successful AFCON title defence.

IVORY COAST SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)

Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Rennes), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)

Forwards: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Amad Diallo (Manchester Utd), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Sebastien Haller (Utrecht), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte)

Standby: Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi)