Ivory Coast have jet off to Morocco to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown, with high expectations riding on their talented squad.
The defending champions, who won the tournament in 2023, are looking to make history by becoming the first team to retain the title since Egypt’s three-peat.
Led by coach Emerse Fae, the Ivory Coast team boasts a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, including Wilfried Zaha, who’s making a surprise return to the national team.
However, the team faces a major blow with the absence of star striker Sebastien Haller, who suffered a hamstring injury and will miss the tournament.
Haller was instrumental in Ivory Coast’s previous triumph, scoring crucial goals in the semifinals and finals.
The Elephants are in Group F, alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique, and will kick off their title defense against Mozambique on December 24.
