Elephants name squad for Amavubi game

COTE D’IVIORE has named a strong 21-man team to face Rwanda in next month’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier due in Kigali. Coach Francois Zahoui named the squad which is only made up of Europe-based players. Zahou gave Manchester City defender Kolo Toure his first call after returning from a six-month drug ban following a failed drugs test resulting from a diet pill, which he claims was given to him by his wife. Kolo has been cleared by Fifa to play the game which will take place just 24 hours after the ban which was imposed on him expires. Despite that fact that the Elephants have already secured their place for the finals tournament, Zahoui named his strongest team comprised of Chelsea attacking pair of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou as well as Arsenal’s recent signing Gervinho. The midfield will be manned by the City’s Yaya Toure, Cheik Tiote (Newcastle) and Max Gradel (Leeds). The Elephants who have already qualified for next year’s Nations Cup finals but will be seeking to maintain their unbeaten record in Group H. However, amavubi team who lost 0-3 in the first leg held in Abidjan will be aiming to snatch a win over the Elephants so as to realize their chances of closing in for second place in group H. The Elephants, who begins two-day training in Amsterdam today, are expected to jet in the country on September 1. They have been booked to reside at Umubano Hotel. Cote d’Ivoire squad: Goal keepers: Barry Boubacar (Lokeren), Gerard Gnanhouan (Vannes OC), Ibrahim Kone (Boulogne) Defenders: Tiene Siaka (PSG), Benjamin Angoua (Valenciennes), Igor Lolo (Kuban), Didier Zokora (Trazbonspor), Brice Djedje (Evian), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart) and Souleman Bamba (Leicester). Midfielders: Jean Gosso (Orduspor), Didier Konan (Hanouver 96), Cheik Tiote (Newcastle), Moussa Kone (Foggia), Max Gradel (Leeds), Toure Yaya (Manchester City), Strikers: Gervinho Kouassi (Arsenal), Doumbia Seydou (CSKA Moscow), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea) and Wilfred Bony (Vitesse Arhnem). Ends