The Ivory Coast, the defending AFCON champions, have made a powerful statement ahead of the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Coach Emerse Faé has unveiled his 26-man squad, and the list confirms what many have feared: the era of Nicolas Pépé as a guaranteed starter for the Elephants is over.
The Villarreal winger is the highest-profile absentee, dropped alongside other established names, as Faé signals a bold, uncompromising reshaping of the squad built around form, dynamism, and managerial trust.
Pépé Pays the Price for Inconsistency
Pépé's exclusion is a difficult one to process for fans. The former Arsenal star, who currently plays for Villarreal in La Liga, has been a key figure for the Elephants for years. However, his omission follows a pattern of being overlooked in recent international windows.
While Faé didn't single out Pépé, the manager’s comments on other exclusions suggest the rationale is focused on ruthless meritocracy:
Competition is Key: Faé stated that the competition for places in the wide attacking positions is "very strong" and
that he had to prioritize players who showed "greater continuity in club football" and could offer more dynamism.
The New Guard: Faé is banking heavily on a blend of youth and a few trusted veterans.
The squad includes exciting young talent like Amad Diallo (Manchester United) and Bazoumana Touré, reflecting an intention to inject fresh pace and intensity into the attack.
A Family Reaction: The shock was palpable even among the player's family, with Pépé's brother, Jonathan, publicly commenting on social media: "Maybe I'm dreaming, maybe I didn't see Faé's list correctly."
The Dramatic Return of Wilfried Zaha
The shock of Pépé’s exclusion is balanced by an even bigger headline: the return of Wilfried Zaha to the national team.
The 33-year-old Charlotte FC winger has been recalled to the squad after formally apologizing to the Ivorian national team setup.
Faé confirmed he accepted Zaha's apology and was impressed by his recent club form (scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists in MLS).
The Swap: In essence, Faé has opted to replace the inconsistent output of the 30-year-old Pépé with the experience, maturity, and renewed commitment of Zaha. This is a massive gamble, but Zaha’s attacking flair is seen as a major reinforcement for the title defense.
Major Squad Shake-Up
Pépé is not alone in the high-profile cull. Faé also excluded:
Simon Adingra: The Sunderland winger, a breakout star of the 2024 AFCON, has surprisingly been left out, reportedly due to a struggle for regular playing time at the club level this season.
Wilfried Singo: The defensive full-back was another key figure left off the final roster.
By dropping multiple established names, Emerse Faé has made it clear that past glory means nothing.
The focus is entirely on a new generation of players who are ready to run harder, execute the manager's
vision, and fight to defend the title in Morocco.
Was Emerse Faé right to drop Pépé to make way for a more dynamic attack?