Nicolas Pepe: Villareal winger replaces Yan Diomande in Ivory Coast squad

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae’s preparation for this month’s two international friendlies has been disrupted by the withdrawal of young forward, Yan Diomande.

The RB Leipzig striker has pulled out of the Elephants squad through injury and will not be able to join the team for the double pre-World Cup warm up games.

Nicolas Pepe was overlooked for AFCON 2025

The Ivorian Football Federation made the announcement ahead of the clashes against South Korea and Scotland although Diomande was due to take part in the training camp during the FIFA window in England.

The 19-year-old is suffering from a shoulder injury sustained on 20 March in a league match and his place has now been taken by Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe who was initially overlooked by coach Emerse Fae.

Diomande who played five matches with a goal for Ivory Coast at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, has made 27 appearances, scoring ten goals and seven assists for RB Leipzig this season.

He joined RB Leipzig from CD Leganes last year in a deal worth €20 million Euros and has gone on to earn nine caps with a goal to his credit for Ivory Coast.

Pepe on the other hand returns to the squad after being left out of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco where they exited at the quarterfinal stage after losing 1-0 to Egypt.

The 30-year-old who has 53 caps and 11 goals for Ivory Coast, is in fine form for Villarreal where he has scored five times and provided four assists in 28 appearances in the current La Liga season.

Ivory Coast are set to play South Korea on March 28 in London before facing Scotland three days later at Liverpool’s home ground.