Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has added young defender Jean Ives Valou to his senior squad ahead of Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Gambia.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who plays for Spanish side Getafe, has been promoted from the country’s under-23 team to reinforce the senior national side before their trip to Bakau.
The decision comes as Ivory Coast prepare for the fourth round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with the Elephants scheduled to face Gambia at Independence Stadium.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed Valou’s promotion in an announcement released on Saturday evening, explaining that the defender had initially been part of the U23 squad.
“The Ivorian Football Federation announces that Valou Ives Jean, a 20-year-old defender who plays for Getafe CF (Spain), has joined the senior national team,” the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced in a statement on Saturday evening.
Valou has made seven appearances for Getafe this season and is now expected to provide additional defensive options for Renard as Ivory Coast continue their qualifying campaign.
In its announcement, the federation explained that the young defender had been attending the U23 team’s training camp before receiving a call-up to the senior side.
The FIF said: “Initially in training with the U23 team for the category’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the player was called up this Friday to strengthen the Elephants ahead of their trip to Bakau, Gambia, where they will face the Scorpions on the fourth matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
Valou’s promotion, however, comes at a significant moment for the country’s U23 team, who are also preparing for an important qualifying fixture.
The youngster will leave the U23 training camp as the Young Elephants get ready to face Kenya in Abidjan on Tuesday. That encounter will be the second leg of the second round of qualifying for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
His departure means the U23 side will have to continue preparations without a defender who had initially been included in their plans for the Kenya tie.
Renard’s decision therefore places the immediate needs of the senior national team ahead of the U23 squad’s preparations, as Ivory Coast look to strengthen their options for the upcoming meeting with Gambia.
The senior side will travel to Bakau with an advantage after securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg, which was played in Bouaké on Thursday.
Goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Elye Wahi secured the win for Ivory Coast, putting them in a favourable position ahead of the return encounter.
Another victory would further strengthen their qualification prospects. If they secure another win against Gambia, a draw in their subsequent match against Ghana would be sufficient to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Valou’s inclusion adds another young option to Renard’s squad as the coach prepares for the decisive stages of the qualifying campaign.
The Getafe defender’s promotion also represents an opportunity to move from the U23 setup into the senior national team, although his immediate task will be to help the Elephants prepare for their encounter with Gambia.
