Emerse Fae explains absence of Toulouse star Yann Gboho

Head coach of Ivory Coast Emerse Fae has given an update on the absence of Yann Gboho from the senior national team for the two friendlies this month.

Gboho, who expressed interest in representing the Elephants, has been excluded from the 25-man squad that will face South Korea and Scotland in their upcoming friendly matches in England.

During the press conference to announce the squad, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach explained the reason for the omission of the Toulouse attacking midfielder.

Ivory Coast will play South Korea and Scotland

“We have been in contact with Yan Gboho since 2022. He was unable to join the U23 due to athletic issues. Last week, his entourage got back in touch with me.

“A meeting is scheduled after the March international break to discuss and assess his true motivation to join the Côte d’Ivoire project.”

The Elephants will be in England, where they will face South Korea on March 28 in Milton Keynes before traveling to Liverpool to take on Scotland on March 31.

Yann Gboho ready to represent Ivory Coast

Born in Ivory Coast, Gboho, 25, has expressed readiness to represent Ivory Coast at the senior level after appearing for France at the youth level.

The 25-year-old, born in Ivory Coast has represented France at the junior level having started his career with Aiglon du Lamentin.

“I regularly watch the Elephants’ matches. I watch them whenever I can, with my family. Ivory Coast has a national team with great talents. “Wearing the Elephants’ jersey is clearly very important. Representing Ivory Coast would be a huge source of pride for me and my family,” he told Ultra Ivoiriens.

Yann Gboho honed his burgeoning career at Aiglon du Lamentin, Rouen before joining Stade Rennes in 2016 where he developed at the youth level before being to the senior side.

He was sent on loan to Dutch side, Vitesse Arnhem before making a permanent move to Belgium to Cercle Brugge where he spent two seasons.

He was signed by Toulouse in 2024 and has gone on to make 24 appearances, scoring six times with two assists in this season’s Ligue 1 campaign for Toulouse.