Oumar Solet joins Ivory Coast squad

Hervé Renard, head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, on Thursday announced his squad for the upcoming matches against Gambia. The call-up includes centre-back Oumar Solet.

Solet, 26, a regular starter for Udinese in Serie A, is a former France youth international. He has ultimately chosen to represent Ivory Coast, where he also has roots.

Other newcomers include Abdoul Ouattara (Ipswich Town), Yaya Kader Fofana and Abdoulaye Kanté (Al-Ettifaq). The squad also features experienced players such as Franck Kessié (Atalanta) and Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest).

Defenders Evan Ndicka of AS Roma and Ousmane Diomandé of Nottingham Forest are also in the squad. Forwards Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomandé (Real Madrid) and Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal) have also been called up.

The matches against Gambia will be played on 12 and 17 November, as part of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.