Mohamed Diomande: Rangers Midfielder Rejects Ghana for Ivory Coast in International Football

Mohamed Diomande: Rangers Midfielder Rejects Ghana for Ivory Coast in International Football

Lukman Mumuni
May 17, 2024 at 6:14 AM
In this article:
Mohammed Diomande logo
M. Diomande
Glasgow Rangers logoMIvory Coast logo
Ghana logo
Ghana
Ghana
24
Ivory Coast logo
Cote DIvoire
Ivory Coast
27
FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) logo
FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
Africa
Glasgow Rangers logo
Rangers F.C.
Scotland
35
Nordsjaelland logo
Nordsjaelland
Denmark
29
  • Scotland-based Mohamed Diomande has decided on his international future
  • The Rangers midfielder had the option of playing for Ghana and Ivory Coast
  • Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae could include him in his squad for June's games

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Mohamed Diomande has disclosed his decision to play for African champions, Ivory Coast, at the senior level in international football.

The Right to Dream Academy-trained player had the option of representing Ghana and was handed his debut call-up for the friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March of 2024.

However, the Rangers player asked to be excused in order to make a decision over his international future.

Mohamed Diomande, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Rangers, World Cup qualifiers, Right to Dream Academy
Mohamed Diomande celebrates after forcing an own goal in Rangers' game against St Mirren in the Scottish League. Photo: Ian MacNicol.
Source: Getty Images

Diomande has settled with the Elephants, claiming it has always been his dream to represent the country of his parents.

"My dream has always been to represent Ivory Coast, the country of my parents,” he said in a radio interview with Nosta Foot. " I am ready to play with the Elephants in A or with the U23," added the talented midfielder.

Ivory Coast coach, Emerse Fae, is expected to name Diomande in his squad for June's World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Kenya.

Born in Yopougon, Ivory Coast, Diomande spent seven years of his formative life in Ghana, where he was nurtured at the famous Right to Dream Academy.

He left Ghana for Denmark in 2020 to join FC Nordsjaelland, following the footsteps of the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Diomande moved to Scotland in January 2024 to sign for Glasgow Rangers, per Transfermarkt.

Diomande opens up on Ghana invite

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ivory Coast-born midfielder Mohamed Diomande is yet to decide on his international future after receiving a Ghana invite.

The Rangers midfielder was handed his maiden call-up by new Black Stars coach Otto Addo for the friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda.

He also received an invite for the Ivory Coast U23 team for an international friendly against France in March.

Diomande named in Ghana squad for friendlies

Sports Brief also reported that Otto Addo included Mohamed Diomande in his 26-man squad for the international friendlies in March 2024.

Diomande, who made a move to Scottish giants Rangers FC, had accepted the call-up to represent Ghana at the senior level.

However, he later asked to be excused for the games against Nigeria and Uganda in Morocco.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.