Charleroi, Utrecht and Cercle Brugge see players set to depart for AFCON with Cote d’Ivoire | OneFootball

Cote d’Ivoire have announced their squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Les Elephants are the defending champions and will be taking three players from across the Belgian and Dutch leagues. In the Eredivisie, hero of the 2023 AFCON final Sebastien Haller will be hoping to provide the goals as the side look to defend their crown. Haller will leave Utrecht for the tournament where he has scored one goal in 19 games this season. Cote d’Ivoire fans will be hoping he can rediscover his scoring boots in Morocco.

Charleroi goalkeeper Mohamed Kone, who only recently regained his place as the Zebras number one in the Pro League, has been called up alongside Yahi Fofana and Alban Lafont. Alongside Haller upfront, Cercle Brugge’s summer signing Oumar Diakite has also been given a call up. The imposing forward hasn’t quite hit the ground running for the green and black half of Brugge just yet, but at times he has been a handful.

Cote d’Ivoire are in a tough group at AFCON, with Cameroon and Gabon the biggest threat alongside Mozambique, who should certainly not be underestimated. Cote d’Ivoire are up against history, with no side having defended their title since Egypt won the tournament three times in a row between 2006 and 2010.

For more on the history of the AFCON, a book is available from Get Belgian and Dutch Football writer Ben Jackson, published by Pitch Publishing and available here.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson