Faé unveils a positive Ivory Coast squad for AFCON 2025, recalling Zaha while leaving out Adingra and several high-profile players

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé on Tuesday unveiled a positive Ivory Coast squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, confirming a 26-man list that includes the surprise return of Wilfried Zaha and the omission of Simon Adingra.

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The announcement came as the defending champions confirmed their travelling party for Morocco.

Faé recalled Zaha, now 33, for the first time in almost two years after the forward produced an impressive season with Charlotte FC in the United States, scoring 10 goals and supplying six assists.

Faé said the selection aimed to blend seasoned figures with emerging talents in a group tasked with defending the title won on home soil in 2024.

Midfielder Jean-Michaël Seri also returns following a lengthy injury absence.

Younger players such as Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo and Bazoumana Touré have been retained, signalling Faé’s intention to refresh the squad while keeping its competitive spine intact.

The exclusion of Brighton winger Adingra is among the most notable omissions.

Adingra, who broke through at the 2023 tournament, has struggled for playing time at Sunderland this season, making only nine appearances.

Nicolas Pépé also misses out despite regular minutes with Villarreal, continuing a pattern from recent international windows. Jérémie Boga and Clément Akpa are similarly left out.

Defender Wilfried Singo is unavailable after being ruled out through injury.

The coaching team has named Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand as reserves should any pre-tournament withdrawals occur, a secondary detail that drew attention among supporters.

Ivory Coast will compete in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique.

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After their dramatic title run in 2024, Faé said the combination of youth, experience and renewed depth would give the Elephants a strong platform to challenge again in Morocco.