Ivory Coast are undergoing preparations for their upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying fixtures against Burkina Faso as the West African neighbors vie for a place at the finals in East Africa next February. The Local Elephants will host Burkina Faso in Abidjan for the first leg on December 22 before traveling to Bamako, Mali for the second leg hosted by Burkina Faso who currently lack a stadium that meets the standards of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
A familiar face to followers of Ivorian and African football will be involved after it was revealed that veteran goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo is in the squad. The 36-year-old, now a member of Ivorian Ligue 1 club Africa Sports, is with an Ivorian national team for the first time since he was banned by FIFA for 18 months following a positive drug test. Gbohouo spoke about his feelings in comments recorded by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF):
"This is my first competition with the local national team (the CHAN squad with players based only in Ivory Coast). This is a very nice challenge. I want to bring my experience to this group and bring more. Hope we go far in the competition."
"I'm in a good mood. Even when I had my suspension I didn't stop working. Same here, even more so. As they say, it's good for a footballer to always stay active and competitive."
Gbohouo, who made 65 appearances for the senior national team, knows the head coach of the Local Elephants well. The squad is led by coach Romaric N'Dri, a former long time midfielder of the Ivorian national team who enjoyed a successful career for the Elephants as well as with Spanish La Liga clubs Sevilla and Espanyol. N'Dri, who is gaining experience as a coach with Ivorian club AFAD as well as with the CHAN team, spoke with the FIF ahead of the match:
"We don't have all (the players we want) because there's the ongoing championship, because there are clubs playing (CAF) Confederation Cup and Champions League...but that should not be an excuse...the best result is for us to win without conceding any goals."
Seven players from AFAD are included in the list of 25 players called by Romaric. The Local Elephants played five friendly matches to prepare including two exhibition games against Morocco, a match against Guinea and also two matches against local Ivorian clubs.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Okahi Guy Franck (AFAD)
Kouamé Kouadio Maurice (Zoman FC)
Sylvain Gbohouo (Africa Sports)
Defenders
Britto Dagou Willie (ISCA)
Zouzou Landry Angenor Ahoutou (AFAD)
Zadi Zokou Benito (AFAD)
Bah Bi Donald (Stella Club)
Koné Samba (AFAD)
Tchegbé Adico Joseph Archange (RCA)
Bregui Vianey Arnold Baltimez (ISCA)
Kpéa Hamed Guy-Romain (RCA)
Midfield
Sidibé Alpha Stéphane (FC San Pedro)
Coulibaly Sanga Topio (AFAD)
Kacou Luc Stéphane (AFAD)
Yameogo Thibaud Apollinaire (ISCA)
Tapé Kader (Yamoussoukro FC)
Forwards
Wawa Christ Ivan Alex (RCA)
Konaté Oumar (Sol FC)
Bedi Guy Stéphane (FC San Pedro)
Ecua Ecua Célestin (Zoman FC)
Traoré Amara (SO Armée)
Gnahoua Daniel Elie Josué (AFAD)
Bah Keassé Paul Henri (SO Armée)
Ojo Ashiraf (Stella)
Loua Pacôme (ISCA)
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