Herve Renard will name his first Cote d’Ivoire squad since returning as head coach on Wednesday, but injuries to Wilfried Singo, Simon Adingra and Amad Diallo are complicating his plans.
The announcement will mark the start of Renard’s second spell in charge, with the Elephants facing a demanding schedule. Cote d’Ivoire will host Ghana on 24 September, play Somalia five days later and then meet Cameroon in a friendly on 3 October.
Before making his first selection, however, Renard must assess three important players whose fitness could restrict his options.
Singo appears to be the most serious concern. The Galatasaray defender is sidelined again with a thigh injury and has made very few appearances since the beginning of the season. His involvement against Ghana therefore looks doubtful.
The uncertainty is particularly significant because Singo can play both at right-back and in central defence. That versatility would be valuable to Renard as he prepares a squad capable of coping with three matches in the space of 10 days.
Adingra is also attempting to regain full fitness. The winger joined Ajax on loan in early September in search of a fresh start, but arrived in Amsterdam unable to play immediately. He believed he needed another two to three weeks to return to match condition.
That could leave Renard facing a difficult choice: select Adingra before he has regained his club rhythm or allow him more time to make his first appearances for Ajax. The decision comes alongside the confirmed absence of Nicolas Pepe from this initial gathering.
Diallo return remains uncertain
The third unresolved case involves Amad Diallo, who suffered an ankle injury while with Manchester United and has not yet returned to competitive action.
Even if Diallo is able to resume playing soon, Renard must determine whether he would be sufficiently sharp for the meeting with Ghana. His ability to accelerate and create openings would offer Cote d’Ivoire an important attacking dimension, particularly in a match where the team will need to pose an immediate threat.
His selection will depend on how the injury develops rather than simply on the coach’s preference.
The three situations may not prevent Renard from making a strong start, but they could influence the shape of his first squad. He has alternatives, especially in wide areas, with Yan Diomande continuing to attract close attention despite finding adaptation difficult at Real Madrid.
Wednesday’s announcement will therefore reveal not only Renard’s preferred players but also how he handles those who are not fully fit. He must decide whether to rely on established figures from the outset or use their possible absences to give other Elephants an opportunity.