Wilfried Zaha Re-called To The Ivory Coast Team For The 2021 AFCON Despite Doubt Consigning His Future In The Team.

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been named in Ivory Coast's 28-man squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations games in Cameroon.

Zaha was recalled to the squad despite speculations consigning his future in the national team. 

The 29-year-old had refused to join the team for their last World Cup qualifiers in November against Mozambique and Cameroon with coach Patrice Beaumelle claiming that Zaha 'wanted to reflect on the rest of his international career'.

Zaha later denied his manager's claims after numerous press reports saying that the coach was mistaken as he never considered whether to retire from international football.

Four other Premier League stars have been called up for selection as well which includes Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, Willy Bolly of Wolves, Burnley striker Maxwell Cornet, and Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

Midfielder Jean Michael Seri of Championship side Fulham was also called up to the squad. 

Man United forward Amad Diallo was left out of the list due to lack of regular game time. The 19-year-old have been able to play just once this season for United, which was in their 1-1 draw with Young Boys of Switzerland in the Champions League last group match on December 8.

Four Italy-based players are on the list with AC Milan's Franck Kessie and Lazio's Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro joined by Sassuolo pair Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga.

Experienced played like Ajax former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller was also included following his impressive form in the Champions League this season having scored 10 goals in just the group stage. 

Villarreal's right-back Serge Aurier who is the current captain of the team, and Sivasspor forward Max-Alain Gradel are also included.

Les Éléphants will face Equatorial Guinea in their Group E opening fixture (12th January), before facing Sierra Leone (Jan. 16th), and defending champions Algeria (Jan. 20th), as they seek to beat their quarter-final finish in 2019 after loosing to the eventual champions Algeria via penalties.

Zaha has made 21 caps for Ivory Coast, scoring five goals since his debut in January 2017.

Ivory Coast last won the competition for the second time in Equatorial Guinea 2015 defeating Ghana in the final 9-8 via penalty shoot-out following a goalless scoreline after extra-time.

Full List Of Ivory Coast's AFCON squad:

Goalkeepers: 

Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema/ETH), Badra Ali (JDR Stars/RSA), Ira Tapé (FC San Pedro), Cissé Abdul Karim (Asec Mimosas)

Defenders: 

Serge Aurier (Villareal/ESP), Eric Bailly (Manchester United/ENG), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton/ENG), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids FC/EGY), Odilon Kossonou (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor/TUR); Ghislain Konan (Reims/FRA)

Midfielders:

Habib Maiga (Metz/FRA), Serey Die (FC Sion/SUI), Ibrahim Sangaré (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio/ITA), Franck Kessie (AC Milan/ITA), Hamed Junior Traoré (Sassuolo/ITA), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham/ENG)

Forwards: 

Maxwell Cornet (Burnley/ENG), Max Gradel (Sivasspor/TUR), Jérémie Boga (Sassuolo/ITA), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace/ENG), Jean Évrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor/TUR), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal/ENG), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht/BEL), Sebastien Haller (Ajax/NED), Johan Boli (Al- Rayan/QAT), Konaté Karim (Asec Mimosas).