Cote d’Ivoire have missed out on Sporting midfielder Issa Doumbia, with the 22-year-old choosing Italy after being pursued by Herve Renard and the Elephants.
Renard had publicly invited the midfielder to join Cote d’Ivoire after naming his squad for the upcoming fixtures. The Elephants will face Ghana and Somalia at home in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on 24 and 29 September, before hosting Cameroon in a friendly on 3 October.
Doumbia was singled out by Renard during a press conference following the squad announcement last Wednesday. The France-born coach acknowledged that Cote d’Ivoire were competing with another country for the player’s international future.
“It is no secret that we are competing with another nation. We are doing our work. We travelled there, but in silence,” Renard said.
“Now we will wait for his decision. I am not afraid to say, in front of the entire Ivorian people, that his arrival would be welcome. Cote d’Ivoire and this Elephants team need him, and we hope he will make the choice with his heart.
“His parents are Ivorian and we hope he will join us as quickly as possible. It is a great assist. Now it is up to him to finish.”
That decision has gone against Renard and Cote d’Ivoire, with Doumbia opting to represent Italy. The promising midfielder, who was born in Treviglio, has been selected by Roberto Mancini for the Nations League, one year after playing at the European Under-21 Championship.
The call-up means Cote d’Ivoire must now abandon their hopes of persuading Doumbia to join their senior side. The player had been eligible for both nations through his family background.
Doumbia is not the only dual-national player to have chosen Italy. Nuremberg forward Mohamed Ali Zoma, 22, and Monza central defender Eddy Kouadio, 20, have also opted to represent the Azzurri.
Their decisions represent three setbacks for the Elephants as Renard continues to shape his squad ahead of the qualifying campaign and the team’s home friendly against Cameroon.