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Ivory Coast team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 line up vs Morocco – Zaha overlooked again
WILFRIED ZAHA is set to be overlooked once again at Ivory Coast continue their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Morocco.
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The Crystal Palace frontman was a second-half substitute in Ivory Coast’s first group stage match against South Africa.
The Elephants got off to a winning start thanks to a solitary strike from Jonathan Kodjia, meaning the Aston Villa frontman is expected to keep his spot ahead of Zaha.
Morocco also won their opening game against Namibia, so today’s match is likely to go a long way to determining the winners of Group D.
Coach Ibrahim Kamara is unlikely to move away from the winning line up that secured three points last time out, so that means Zaha will be joined by the likes of Wilfried Bony and Maxwel Cornet on the bench.
Max Gradel, Jean Michael Seri and Nicolas Pepe should start as an attacking trio behind Kodjia while Franck Kessie and Serey Die will anchor the midfield.
Wilfried Kanon and Ismael Traore should line up in central defence, flanked by Wonlo Coulibaly and Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo is ahead of Ali Badra and Tape Ira in the pecking order.
The Ivory Coast team has changed dramatically in recent seasons with both Kolo and Yaya Toure announcing their international retirement while Gervinho was overlooked in the current squad.
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Kamara is also without Eric Bailly as the Manchester United defender continue to struggle with a knee injury suffered against Chelsea last season.
Meanwhile, United fans will be keeping an eye on Pepe’s performance with the Lille winger linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Kodjia will also hope to impress and stake his claim in the Villa first team ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Morocco have several household names in their side, including former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech.
Ivory Coast predicted line-up vs Morocco – Africa Cup of Nations
(4-2-3-1): Gbohouo; Aurier, Kanon, Traore, Coulibaly; Die, Kessie; Pepe, Seri, Gradel; Kodjia