Ivory Coast Call Up Nicolas Pépé as Yan Diomandé Withdraws with Injury

The Ivory Coast national football team has been forced to make a late change to its squad ahead of the upcoming international friendlies after Yan Diomandé was ruled out with injury.

The young attacker has suffered a shoulder problem and will miss the matches scheduled during the international window. His absence comes as a setback for the Ivorian technical team, who had hoped to assess him further at the senior level.

To fill the vacant spot, the coaching staff has handed a call-up to experienced winger Nicolas Pépé. The former Arsenal forward returns to the squad and is expected to add experience and attacking threat to the team.

Ivory Coast will face South Korea national football team and Scotland national football team in two international friendlies as preparations continue for upcoming competitive fixtures.

The matches will give the Elephants an opportunity to fine-tune their squad while also offering players like Pépé a chance to make a strong impression in the national setup once again.