Ivory Coast Under-23 side are aiming to bounce back and sharpen their preparations for upcoming continental qualifiers as they face Morocco in a second international friendly on 30 March in Rabat.
Midfielder Malick Yalcouyé says the team is determined to improve after their first encounter, as the Olympic Ivory Coast team continue building towards qualification for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Speaking ahead of the match, Yalcouyé expressed confidence in the squad’s progress during their training camp.
“It’s been a good training camp, the group is getting along well, and we’re very excited to be here. Facing Morocco on March 30th for the second match, we’d like to correct our mistakes and finally get a win.
“The team is motivated for that, and we’ll try to give everything to win. We learned from the first match. We’re going to focus on winning.”
The Swansea City midfielder also emphasised the competitive nature of the squad, suggesting that every selected player has earned their place and can contribute to the team’s ambitions.
“Everyone who has been called up deserves to play, and I think the team that will be fielded will have what it takes to win. We want victory for the country, even if it’s a friendly match.”
Ivory Coast’s preparations have been shaped by head coach Doumbia Mamadou, who named a 23-man squad for the two matches against Morocco during the international break.
The squad selection reflects a strong reliance on players based in Europe, underlining a growing trend within the country’s youth football system.
As the team continues to develop, attention will be on how these players blend together and adapt to the demands of international competition.
Morocco’s Under-23 side are expected to provide a stern test, given their technical strength and competitive quality.
For Ivory Coast, the matches offer an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess player performance ahead of more decisive fixtures.
Yalcouyé believes the group has the potential to meet its long-term targets, including qualification for both the continental tournament and the Olympic Games.
“With hard work, we can achieve the dual objective set by management. Personally, I am determined to give my all for these qualifications.”
The 20-year-old, who is currently on loan at Swansea City from Brighton & Hove Albion, has experience across multiple midfield roles and adds versatility to the squad.
Born in Mali and raised in Ivory Coast, he represents the latter at youth international level and continues to establish himself within the national setup.
