Rwanda’s opponents Côte d’Ivoire head coach Michel Dussuyer has named the final 23-man squad for the upcoming Africa Nations Championship which kicks off on January 16. Amavubi will face Côte d’Ivoire in the opening game.

Côte d’Ivoire, Africa’s top ranked team according to the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday, are in Group A together hosts Rwanda, Gabon and Morocco.

According to the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), ‘Les Elephants’ left for South Africa on Tuesday for a training camp where they will play two friendly matches against Guinea (January) and Nigeria three days later.

The Ivorians will be making their third appearance this time. Their other participation was in 2011 in Sudan and the first edition which they hosted and was won by DR Congo.

Rwanda will face Côte d’Ivoire in the opening match on January 16 at Amahoro stadium, where Amavubi have a poor record against West African giants – Rwanda has lost four times and only managed two draws in six meetings between the two teams.

Côte d’Ivoire squad:

Goalkeepers: Bamba Drissa (Stade d'Abidjan), Cisse Abdoul Karim (Sporting Gagnoa), Sangare Badra Ali (AS Tanda)

Defenders: Britto Dagou Willy (AS Tanda), Comara Cheick Ibrahim (AFAD), Coulibaly Soualiho (Stade d'Abidjan), Goua Mahan Marc (Asec Mimosas), Kangoute Adama (Asec Mimosas), Koffi Marcellin (AS Tanda), Kouassi Diallo Romuald (WAC), Ouattara Soualio Dabila (Africa Sport)

Midfielders: Aka Essis Beaudelaire (Sewe Sport), Badie Gbagnon Anicet (AFAD), Ble Nilmar Treika (Sewe Sport), Diabate Inza (AS Tanda), Nguessan Yao Serge (AFAD), Yace Okpekon Marius (Africa Sport)

Forwards: Atcho Djobo (AS Tanda), Boua Koffi Davy (AS Tanda), Guiza Franck (Sewe Sport), Mevy Dominique (Moossou FC), Toh Wassawaly (Yopougon FC), Zakri Krahire Yannick (Asec Mimosas).

FIXTURES

Jan.16

Group A (Amahoro stadium)

Rwanda              vs      Ivory Coast      3pm

Gabon                 vs      Morocco          6pm

Group B (Huye stadium)

Jan. 17

DR Congo            vs      Ethiopia           3pm

Angola                vs      Cameroon        6pm

Group C (Kigali regional stadium)

Jan. 18

Tunisia                vs      Guinea             3pm

Nigeria                vs      Niger               6pm

Group D (Umuganda stadium)

Jan. 19

Zimbabwe           vs      Zambia            3pm

Mali          vs             Uganda      6pm