Diomande stirs controversy in Ivory Coast, Sporting defender in focus | OneFootball

Ousmane Diomande returned to the Sporting squad in the defeat in Naples (2-1), almost two months after suffering a muscle injury. Even so, the central defender from the Alvalade club was not called up for Ivory Coast’s international fixtures.

The player has been regularly called up, but has not been used frequently. Emerse Faé, the coach, in fact, recently had to come out publicly to explain that there is no problem with Rui Borges’ protégé, stating that he appreciates the player (Read HERE).

The athlete is therefore left out of the options for the next two matches of the Elephants against Seychelles (October 10) and Kenya (October 14), both relating to qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The player, it should be recalled, was absent from the pitch for some time due to a muscle injury in his right thigh.

However, Rui Borges is considering the possibility of bringing Ousmane Diomande back into Sporting’s starting eleven for the match against Braga. Although he was on the match sheet against Naples, the central defender was not at 100%, but should be fit for the next match.

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Ousmane Diomande – valued at 45 million euros – has played in two matches. The Ivory Coast international started in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, playing 68 minutes against Benfica, and also against Casa Pia, being on the pitch for 58 minutes before getting injured.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.