Renard recalls veteran duo ahead of Cameroon game

Côte d’Ivoire coach Hervé Renard has recalled defenders Kolo Touré and Didier Zokora to face Sierra Leone and Cameroon in the last round of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers later this month.

The veteran duo last appeared for the Elephants at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, with ‘Maestro’ even announcing his international retirement in September.

Sent off against DR Congo in Abidjan in the previous round last October, centre-back Franck Kessié has been ruled out due to suspension, while Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tioté and CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia are also missing.

The latter enjoyed a stunning performance against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, helping his side to a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium with a brace. But according to some Ivoirian reports, the 26-year old is still nursing an injury.

Hervé Renard has also handed Vitoria Guimaraes’ left-back Adama Traoré and FC Metz midfielder Cheick Doukoure their first international call-up, and welcomed the return of AS Monaco striker Lacina Traoré.

Currently lying third in their Group D on equal footing with DR Congo who are enjoying a better goal difference, Côte d’Ivoire will be under pressure when they face last-placed Sierra Leone on November 15 before hosting Cameroon four days later in Abidjan.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE 24-PLAYER SQUAD AGAINST SIERRA LEONE AND CAMEROON

GOALKEEPERS

1- GBOHOUO SYLVAIN (SEWE SPORT)
2- BARRY BOUBACAR (LOKEREN)
3- MANDE SAYOUBA (STABAEK IF)

DEFENDERS

4- TIENE SIAKA (MONTPELLIER-HSC)
5- AURIER SERGE (PSG)
6- ZOKORA DIDIER (AKHISAR BELEDIYESPOR)
7- DIARRASSOUBA OUSMANE VIERA (CAYKUR RIZESPOR)
8- TOURE KOLO ABIB (LIVERPOOL FC)
9- AKPA AKPRO JEAN-DANIEL (FC TOULOUSE)
10- KANON SERGE WILFRIED (HFC ADO DEN HAAG)
11- TRAORE ADAMA (VICTORIA GUIMARES)
12- DJA DJE BRICE (OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE)

MIDFIELDERS

13- TOURE YAYA GNEGNERI (MANCHESTER CITY FC)
14- DIOMANDE TIEMOKO ISMAEL (AS SAINT-ETIENNE)
15- SEREY DIE GEOFFROY (FC BALE)
16- DOUKOURE CHEICK (FC METZ)
17- ASSALE ROGER CLAVER (SEWE SPORT)
18- MAX-ALAIN GRADEL (AS SAINT-ETIENNE)

FORWARDS

19- YAO KOUASSI GERVAIS (AS ROMA)
20- KALOU SALOMON (HERTHA BERLIN)
21- GOHI BI CYRIAC (ROYAL SPORTING CLUB ANDERLECHT)
22- TRAORE LACINA (AS MONACO)
23- TALLO GADJI CELI JUNIOR (SC BASTIA)
24- BONY WILFRIED (SWANSEA FC)