Initially scheduled to take place in the Ivorian commercial city of Abidjan, the meeting was relocated to neighboring Accra by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), following continued political violence in Cote D’Ivoire.
Chelsea’s talisman Didier Drogba makes a comeback to the Elephants outfit after a temporary retreat in the wake of the team’s debacle at the 2010 World Cup. But embattled Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was not invited following his continued suspension from sporting activities by his club.
Leeds’ 23-year-old midfielder Max Gradel joins Cote D’Ivoire’s national team for the first. He has scored 14 goals in 30 appearances with the Whites.
About 600 Ivorian journalists are expected to cover the encounter in Accra, according to reports, but very few supporters are bracing to make the trip. Instead, thousands of Ivorians are fleeing Abidjan for the hinterland or out of the country, after gun battles there have claimed hundreds of lives in the wake of a contested November 28 2010 presidential run-off.
List:
Goalkeepers : Gérard Gnanhouan (Vannes, France), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Mimosas, Cote D’Ivoire), Ali Badra Sangaré (Séwé San Pedro, Cote D’Ivoire)
Defenders : Souleymane Bamba (Leicester, England), Didier Zokora (FC Sevilla, Spain), Siaka Tiéné (PSG, France), Benjamin Angouan Brou (Valenciennes, France), Guy Demel (Hambourg, Germany), Steve Gohouri (Wigan, England), Emmanuel Eboué (Arsenal, England)
Midfielders : Yaya Touré (Manchester City, England), Cheik Tioté (Newcastle, England), Romaric Ndri Koffi (FC Sevilla, Spain), Kafoumba Coulibaly (OGC Nice, France), Max Gradel (Leeds United, England)
Forwards: Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Gervinho (Lille, France), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Abdul Kader Kéita (Al Sadd Sport, Qatar), Adama Bakayoko (ASEC Mimosas, Cote D’Ivoire)
See the article here:
Didier Drogba In, Kolo Toure Out of Cote D’Ivoire Squad For Benin Qualifier