Ivory Coast Head Coach Sabri Lamouchi has selected his 23-man squad for World Cup 2014 that is filled with experience.
“I’ve known a few difficult moments in my two years as national coach of the Ivory Coast, like when I was appointed, the criticism, the pressure to get results etc. But today has been by far the most difficult day,” said Lamouchi.
The Ivory Coast manager omitted several key players from the squad including Lacina Traore, as well as goalkeeper Badra Ali, defenders Benjamin Angoua and Brice Dja Djedje, and striker Seydou Doumbia.
Ivory Coast’s squad, which features several recognizable world-class players, is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Sayouba Sande (Stabaek).
Defenders: Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba (Caykur Rizespor), Constant Djakpa (Frankfurt), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse).
Midfielders: Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Cheik Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Max Gradel (Saint Etienne), Diomande Ismael (Saint Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Mathis Bolly (Dusseldorf).
Forwards: Gervinho (Roma), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Giovanni Sio (Basel).
SEE MORE: Read the Ivory Coast World Cup Preview.
