Abidjan (AFP) – Ivory Coast will be without star trio Serge Aurier, Gervinho and Yaya Toure for a friendly against Hungary on May 20 in Budapest, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said Thursday.
Several players are missing because of club duty such as Paris Saint-Germain defender Aurier, Hebei China Fortune forward Gervinho and Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba of Turkish side Rizespor.
Concerning Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, who has not been selected for the national side since March 2015, coach Michel Dussuyer has opted to “give him breathing space” at the end of the season.
Newcomers are set to be named in the squad, including Sparta Prague midfielder Tiémoko Konate and Bristol City forward Jonathan Kodjia.
The Elephants will train in Paris on Monday and Tuesday before travelling to Budapest. The team will then travel to Abidjan to prepare a match against 2017 African Cup of Nations hosts Gabon on June 4 at Bouake.
