AFCON 2023: Angry Ex International Wants Zaha Kicked Out of Ivory Coast Squad

• Wilfried Zaha’s inclusion in Ivory Coast’s AFCON 2023 is causing issues
• The Galatasaray forward has been named in the host’s 53-man provisional team
• Zaha made his debut for Ivory Coast in 2017

Not everyone in the Ivory Coast is happy about Wilfried Zaha’s inclusion in Jean-Louis Gasset’s provisional 53-man squad to the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

The Galatasaray forward, who made his debut for the Elephants in 2017, has been a huge controversial figure since joining up with the 2023 AFCON hosts as many are not too pleased with his time in the national team.

According to Sports News Africa, ex-Ivory Coast player Guy Demel believes Zaha would be a distraction for the 2015 AFCON winners heading into the tournament, which starts in January.

"He hasn't been regular with the national team. When it comes to extra-sporting matters, things happen. If I were Jean-Louis Gasset, I wouldn't take him on."

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Zaha, who started his career in England and has played for the Three Lions youth teams, switched to playing for Ivory Coast in 2017 and has made 33 appearances for the Elephants.

Ivory Coast name star-studded squad

Meanwhile, The Ivory Coast has sent a 53-man provisional roster to the Confederation of African Football, with numerous players on the books of English Premier League clubs in contention, All Nigeria Soccer reports.

The provisional roster includes former Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly, ex-Arsenal player Nicolas Pepe, Chelsea academy product Jeremie Boga, and ex-Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.

Datro Fofana, a Chelsea-owned striker, Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, and Nottingham Forest trio Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare, and Serge Aurier are all in the squad.

Toure snubs Ivory Coast for AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Ivory Coast and Manchester City legend, Yaya Toure has picked his favourite teams to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

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The 2015 AFCON winner surprisingly ignored his own country while listing the nations he believes can win the tournament in Ivory Coast.

Toure cited qualification form as the reason for his selection, with Senegal and Guinea Bissau part of the best.