2027 AFCONQ: Hervé Renard names Ivory Coast squad for Ghana, Somalia games

Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard has named a strong squad for next week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana, with experienced stars Franck Kessie and Nicolas Pépé included in the 25-man list.

The Elephants will host Ghana in Bouake on 24 September before travelling to face Somalia five days later during the international window.

Former AC Milan midfielder Kessie headlines a squad packed with European-based talent, while winger Pepe and striker Yoane Wissa’s fellow attacking options, including Evann Guessand, Mohamed Koné and Ryan Fofana, have also been called up.

Goalkeepers Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont and Mohamed Koné have been selected, while the defensive unit features established internationals Odilon Kossounou, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ousmane Diomande and Evann Ndicka.

Renard has also retained several young players as he looks to balance experience with emerging talent ahead of the qualification campaign. Midfielders Christ Inao, Patrick Zabi, Malick Yacoulye and Eddy Doué are among those included alongside Kessie and Ibrahim Sangaré.

In attack, Pepe is joined by Yann Diomandé, Bazoumana Touré, Yoane Bonny, Elie Wahi, Yann Gboho and Ryan Fofana.

Full Squad:

The squad announcement comes ahead of a crucial period for the reigning African champions, who are aiming to secure their place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ivory Coast begin the window with one of the standout fixtures of the qualifying campaign when they welcome four-time African champions Ghana to the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on 24 September.

The Black Stars will be seeking a positive start to their Group C campaign after missing out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while the Elephants will be hoping to make home advantage count in a fixture that has often produced memorable encounters.

Following the Ghana clash, Ivory Coast travel to Mogadishu to face Somalia on 29 September before rounding off the international break with a high-profile friendly against Cameroon in Abidjan on 3 October.