Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has called up young defender Jean Ives Valou from the country’s U23 squad to strengthen the senior national team ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The 20-year-old Getafe centre-back has been drafted into the senior Elephants squad, with the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirming his promotion in a statement on Saturday evening.
“The Ivorian Football Federation announces that Valou Ives Jean, a 20-year-old defender playing for Getafe CF (Spain), has joined the national A team.”
Valou’s call-up comes as Ivory Coast prepare for their return fixture against Gambia in the fourth round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Elephants won the first meeting 2-1 in Bouaké on Thursday, with Malick Yalcouyé and Elye Wahi scoring to give Renard’s side an advantage ahead of the second leg.
Another victory would strengthen Ivory Coast’s position in the qualifying campaign. A draw in their subsequent match against Ghana would then be enough to secure their place at the 2027 continental tournament.
Valou’s promotion also comes at an important moment for the country’s U23 side, who are preparing for a crucial encounter against Kenya in the preliminary qualifying round of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The defender had been part of the U23 team’s preparations but will now leave the camp to join the senior squad, leaving coach Sébastien Bannier with one fewer option for the decisive fixture.
Ivory Coast’s U23 team are seeking to overturn a 2-1 first-leg defeat suffered in Nairobi last Wednesday. They must respond in the return encounter if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the third and final qualifying round alive.
Bannier will therefore have to adjust his plans following the departure of Valou, whose involvement had been part of the team’s preparations for the contest.
The young defender has featured seven times for Getafe this season, according to the information provided, and his elevation to the senior team represents an opportunity to make an early impression at international level.
If selected by Renard, Valou could make his senior international debut just days after receiving his first call-up.
