Rwanda rivals Cote d'Ivoire unveil squad for CHAN finals

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 dAbidjan), Cisse Abdoul Karim (Sporting Gagnoa), Sangare Badra Ali (AS Tanda) Defenders: Britto Dagou Willy (AS Tanda), Comara Cheick Ibrahim (AFAD), Coulibaly Soualiho (Stade dAbidjan), 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

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Rwanda rivals Cote d'Ivoire unveil squad for CHAN finals