Major setback for the Elephants: Odilon Kossounou ruled out! | OneFootball

Willy Boly called up to replace Kossounou

Odilon Kossounou / @x.com/Selephanto

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has recently announced the injury of defender Odilon Kossounou, who plays for Atalanta Bergamo in Italy.The player will be sidelined for 14 days after being named in the Elephants' squad by coach Emerse Fae for the 9th and 10th rounds of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.This absence follows a muscle injury sustained during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta and Club Brugge on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Willy Boly called up to replace Kossounou

Consequently, the national team’s technical staff has decided to call up defender Willy Boly, who plays for Nottingham Forest in England, to fill in for Kossounou during this period.Currently, Côte d’Ivoire sits atop Group F with 20 points, closely followed by Gabon with 19 points. Both teams remain in contention for qualification, but will need to prove their status in the final two rounds scheduled for this month. Côte d’Ivoire will face Seychelles on October 10, followed by Kenya on October 14.Meanwhile, Gabon, their main pursuer, will play against Gambia on October 10, then Burundi on October 14.