Holders Côté d’Ivoire release AFCON 2025 list without Simon Adingra
Holders Côte d’Ivoire have unveiled their final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a list that has sparked immediate debate due to the omission of one of their recent heroes: Simon Adingra. The Sunderland winger, who was voted the Best Young Player at the previous tournament and was pivotal with a crucial assist in the 2023 final against Nigeria, will not be joining the reigning champions as they look to defend their crown.
Adingra’s exclusion is reportedly linked to a concerning lack of playing time at his club, a clear signal from coach Emerse Faé that current form and match fitness are non-negotiable, even for a player who delivered magic in the last final.
Emerse Faé continues to impress with his measured yet transformative leadership. Two years ago, he inherited a team in crisis, appointed as an interim manager after a disastrous group stage at their home AFCON. What followed was a stunning and almost miraculous run, culminating in the title. Faé was subsequently named permanent head coach and the Best Coach of the Tournament.
Under his watch, the Elephants have become notoriously difficult to break down. This defensive steel—epitomized by the partnership of Evan Ndicka and Emmanuel Agbadou—is the foundation of his strategy. While some critiques suggest his attacking play remains laborious, especially against top-tier opponents, Faé’s team have been on an exceptional defensive run, keeping clean sheets throughout much of the World Cup qualifiers. He has instilled a winning mentality and an ironclad organization, demonstrating that his 2023 triumph was not a fluke but the beginning of a remarkable coaching tenure.
The Group Stage Hurdle: Group F
The Elephants face a significantly tricky path to the knockout rounds in Morocco, having been drawn into a highly competitive Group F alongside: Cameroon (Five-time champions and eternal rivals), Gabon (a side that recently held them to a draw in the World Cup qualifiers) and Mozambique, ( perennial dark horses capable of springing a surprise)
Group F is undeniably one of the toughest groups in the competition. The rivalry with Cameroon is always an explosive affair, and both Gabon and Mozambique have proven they can be difficult opponents. However, as the title holders and with the solid foundations laid by Faé, Côte d’Ivoire remain the favorites to win the group. Their defensive record and a squad brimming with experience in major tournaments should be enough to navigate this challenging stage, though they will be acutely aware that a repeat of their 2023 group stage woes could be fatal this time.
The Complete Squad List
Here is the complete list of the players called up by Emerse Faé for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos), Mohamed Koné (Levante UD).
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Gaziantep FK), Guéla Doué (RC Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Al-Fayha), Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen), Clément Akpa (AJ Auxerre).
Midfielders: Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest), Seko Fofana (Al-Ettifaq), Jean-Michael Séri (NK Maribor), Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise), Hamed Traorè (Bournemouth), Christ Inao Oulaï (SC Braga).
Forwards: Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Oumar Diakité (Stade Reims), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC), Karim Konaté (Red Bull Salzburg), Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig).
